Political Currency

Booking an appointment with your GP can feel harder than getting your hands on Oasis tickets. So should those who miss their slots be made to pay? Would it create a barrier to entry for vulnerable people in society, or could it open the door to millions more people who are sick of getting stuck in the queue? Ed and George also bring you inside the world of becoming an MP and they top up their summer reading list with some international big-hitters. Plus - now back from holiday - Ed reveals whether he caused any diplomatic incidents over a sun lounger… You could have been listening to this episode of EMQs early and ad-free! Become a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes and receive early access to EMQs. Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrency Production support: Caillin McDaid Producer: James Shield and Miriam Hall Technical producer: Will Gibson Smith Executive Producers: Ellie Clifford Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Subscribe now on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ed and George are reunited to mull over whether Rachel Reeves should make a U-turn on the winter fuel payment furore. Is there an "escape route" she can take? And they examine the government’s decision to suspend some arms shipments to Israel. Was it really “a legal decision, not a policy decision”, as the PM has claimed? Finally, we ask whether central bankers deserve the credit for falling inflation – or if they simply got lucky. And Ed and George issue a mea culpa for some slightly inaccurate predictions about the Tory leadership contest, as Priti Patel tumbles out of the race at the first hurdle. You could have been listening to this episode of EMQs early and ad-free! Become a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes and receive early access to EMQs. Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrency Production support: Caillin McDaid Producer: James Shield Technical producer: Will Gibson Smith Executive Producers: Ellie Clifford Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Subscribe now on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Where are all the great parliamentary speakers like Gordon Brown, Robin Cook, and William Hague? Ed Balls and George Osborne reflect on fond memories within the chambers like Cook’s resignation. Will the Tory leadership contest bring in any new contenders? Plus, what determines seating order in commons? Can live fact checking during PMQs work? What actually is a three line whip? And how risky is it to defy one? Please keep sending us your questions to questions@politicalcurrency.co.uk You could have been listening to this episode of EMQs early and ad-free! Become a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes and receive early access to EMQs. Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrency Please keep sending us your questions to questions@politicalcurrency.co.uk Assistant Producer: Caillin McDaid Producer: Rosie Stopher Technical Producer: Will Gibson Smith Executive Producers: Ellie Clifford Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Subscribe now on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The summer holidays are over, if Keir Starmer’s speech this week was anything to go by. Is he stepping into Osbornomics strike two? Whilst Ed Balls is still on holiday, George Osborne is joined by Chief Executive of Labour Together, Jonathan Ashworth, to reveal what’s going on behind the scenes as the government returns to Westminster. In a quick turnaround, Starmer was next spotted in Germany, resetting relations in Europe. Is there merit to seeking bilateral relations with EU countries? Will this lead to growth and prosperity? And will it appease Leave voters who swung to Labour at the election? Plus, Ed and George provide their insights from their time inside shadow cabinets, imparting their advice for the next Tory leader on how to return to government as swiftly as possible. Become a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes and receive early access to EMQs. Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrency Please keep sending us your questions to questions@politicalcurrency.co.uk Production support: Caillin McDaid Technical Producer: Will Gibson Smith Producers: Rosie Stopher and James Shield Executive Producer: Dino Sofos Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Subscribe now on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are the civil service the real brains behind the government? What role does a Chief of Staff play? And what on earth do government ministers do all day? Ed Balls and George Osborne are tackling your questions on the ins-and-outs of the daily grind of running the country - from official residences to avoiding gimmicks. You could have been listening to this episode of EMQs early and ad-free! Become a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes and receive early access to EMQs. Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrency And please keep sending us your questions to questions@politicalcurrency.co.uk Production support: Caillin McDaid Technical producer: Will Gibson Smith Producer: Rosie Stopher Executive Producers: Ellie Clifford Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Subscribe now on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Democratic National Convention is underway in Chicago with jubilant scenes. Fortunately for us - while Ed Balls is on holiday - George Osborne has persuaded former shadow Paymaster General Jonathan Ashworth to be Political Currency’s eyes and ears on the ground as Kamala Harris looks to become the Democratic Party’s formal presidential nominee. But are spirits just a little too high for what is shaping up to be a very closely fought race? And have the Dems been taking notes from the Labour party? Plus, Ed and George have recorded their ultimate guide to summer political reading. We hope you’ve got a big suitcase - you’ll need it for all of these! You could have been listening to this episode of EMQs early and ad-free! Become a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes and receive early access to EMQs. Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrency Please keep sending us your questions to questions@politicalcurrency.co.uk Technical Producer: Will Gibson Smith Producer: Rosie Stopher Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Subscribe now on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should Labour have defended themselves better against the Tory claim that they’d caused the 2010 UK financial position? Ed Balls and George Osborne go head-to-head on who was to blame, and whether austerity was the answer in this special fiscal policy-themed edition of EMQs. It’s not all debate though - Ed and George explain the concept of ‘running out of money’, and how much of a previous government’s economic policy is required to make its way into a new term. Please keep sending us your questions to questions@politicalcurrency.co.uk You could have been listening to this episode of EMQs early and ad-free! Become a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes and receive early access to EMQs. Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrency Assistant Producer: Miriam Hall Producer: Rosie Stopher Executive Producers: Ellie Clifford Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Subscribe now on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s results day and while students across the country celebrate their A-levels, BTEC and T-levels, university funding has come back into the limelight. And what’s better than one former education minister? Two! Gillian Keegan is sitting in for George this week, and she and Ed Balls consider the best course of action to make the education sector pay for itself. Plus, Gillian makes her case for more business people in Parliament. Would they really drive more growth than career politicians with PPE degrees? And in the next instalment of our summer conversations, Ed and George give the 2024 intake of MPs their top tips for standing out from the crowd - but does Gillian agree? Become a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes and receive early access to EMQs. Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrency Please keep sending us your questions to questions@politicalcurrency.co.uk Assistant Producer: Miriam Hall Tehcnical Producer: Will Gibson Smith Producer: Rosie Stopher and James Shield Executive Producer: Ellie Clifford Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Subscribe now on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ed Balls and George Osborne answer questions from the EMQs archive - this week, an insider’s guide to a life political. Is a u-turn ever the right thing to do? How does the Prime Minister know whose question to answer at a press conference? And is it fair to say that all politicians are just in it for themselves? Plus, Ed makes his predictions for the next shock-exit politician to follow in his and Michael Portillo’s steps as a media personality, and we ponder what our Political Currency constituency looks like. You could have been listening to this episode of EMQs early and ad-free! Become a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes and receive early access to EMQs. Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrency Please keep sending us your questions to questions@politicalcurrency.co.uk Assistant Producer: Miriam Hall Producer: Rosie Stopher Executive Producers: Dino Sofos and Ellie Clifford Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Subscribe now on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Britain braced itself for widespread rioting and anti-immigration demonstrations, with shops boarding up their storefronts and commuters told to take care on their way home. Instead, a pushback from counter protestors and a heavy police presence largely quelled any violence. Ed Balls and Grant Shapps – who is in the seat for George Osborne – consider how Keir Starmer has handled the situation. Grant gives his honest opinion on how all his previous leaders handled their own crises – from the best all the way to Liz Truss. And, the battle for both the Tory leadership and the party’s soul now fully underway. Grant talks to Ed about losing his seat. And he weighs in on how far to the right the Conservatives should be going (not far) and whether they should be taking a leaf out of Nigel Farage’s book… Plus, in our bonus summer material, Ed and George discuss the risks and realities of trying to take a summer holiday as a politician. Does it matter where you go? And when do you need to make the call to cancel? Someone might want to forward this along to Keir Starmer… You could have been listening to this episode of EMQs early and ad-free! Become a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes and receive early access to EMQs. Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrency Remember to send us your questions to questions@politicalcurrency.co.uk Assistant Producer: Miriam Hall Producer: Rosie Stopher Technical Producer: Will Gibson Smith Executive Producers: Dino Sofos and Ellie Clifford Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Subscribe now on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ed and George are going on a summer holiday… and Ed’s GMB co-host Ranvir Singh wonders, if they had to take a trip with a member of the opposition, who would it be? Whoever Ed chooses will have an interesting outfit to look forward to, as he reveals his holiday get-up to a somewhat stunned George. We’ve had a question from another member of gazebo man’s family - and this time, his dad wants to know, should Covid business loans be written off? Ed and George also tackle food VAT, Rishi Sunak’s personality change, and whether being a technocrat is ever a good thing. You could have been listening to this episode of EMQs early and ad-free! Become a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes and receive early access to EMQs. Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrency Please keep sending us your questions to questions@politicalcurrency.co.uk Assistant Producer: Miriam Hall Producer: Rosie Stopher Technical Producer: Will Gibson Smith Executive Producers: Dino Sofos and Ellie Clifford Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Subscribe now on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the wake of the tragic events this week in Southport, and the eruption of riots that followed, Ed Balls and George Osborne consider how MPs should confront violence and disinformation – all while keeping to the rules. George wonders if courts should update reporting restrictions in a social media age, while Ed cautions that no politician ever wants to jeopardise a criminal trial. George is clear on one thing, though – the political establishment needs to take a firmer hand in dealing with Nigel Farage, who has been accused of inciting riots with incendiary comments about the stabbings this week. Meanwhile, the brand new Chancellor Rachel Reeves fiscal policies have given George a case of the Deja Vu. All her policies so far have got George’s stamp of approval. Is Reeves just Osborne 2.0? Ed doesn’t think she’d be too thrilled with that comparison. And when it comes to the Olympics, Ed has a list of reasons why the economics don’t work for basically any city to play host. George thinks he’s being a Scrooge and should just cast his mind back to the happy, simpler days of London 2012… Become a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes and receive early access to EMQs. Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrency Remember to send us your questions to questions@politicalcurrency.co.uk Assistant Producer: Miriam Hall Producer: Rosie Stopher Technical Producer: Will Gibson Smith Executive Producers: Dino Sofos and Ellie Clifford Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Subscribe now on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Could we see celebrities swapping the silver screen, football pitch or concert stage for the hallowed halls of Westminster? Ed Balls and George Osborne recall stars who have previously made the switch – does anybody ever really pull it off? And, our hosts have got Paris 2024 fever as they look back on their favourite Olympic moments from London 2012. As athletes prepare to compete on the world stage, what are the best lessons or policies the UK has learnt from overseas? Plus, will inflation go down? And how should we pick our party leaders? You could have been listening to this episode of EMQs early and ad-free! Become a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes and receive early access to EMQs. Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrency Please keep sending us your questions to questions@politicalcurrency.co.uk Assistant Producer: Miriam Hall Producer: Rosie Stopher Technical Producer: Will Gibson Smith Executive Producers: Dino Sofos and Ellie Clifford Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Subscribe now on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The world is braced for a brat summer as Kamala Harris steps in for Joe Biden as the Democratic presidential candidate - George Osborne and Ed Balls consider whether the fevered KHive reaction spells success, or simply masks the very real challenge ahead. In Labour land, Rachel Reeves is preparing her statement on the fiscal reality the government faces, all in the shadow of seven Labour MPs losing the whip over George’s two-child benefit cap. Was Keir Starmer right to cast off the rebels? And, Ed and George offer their advice to Reeves - how can she avoid becoming ‘Ms. Austerity Chancellor’? Meanwhile the Tories really do need to make up their mind on who they are - and fast. As James Cleverly throws his hat in the ring for the leadership contest, it’s time to decide what conservatism actually means now. Plus, George convinces Ed to share the truth of his Strictly experience. Become a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes and receive early access to EMQs. Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrency Remember to send us your questions to questions@politicalcurrency.co.uk Assistant Producer: Miriam Hall Producer: Rosie Stopher Technical Producer: Will Gibson Smith Executive Producers: Dino Sofos and Ellie Clifford Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Subscribe now on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How important is it to have a leader who ‘turns you on”? Are ID cards essential in a new world of AI and deep fakes, or are they a waste of government time and money? And should you be made to vote? Plus, if you’ve got a speech to deliver in the near future, Ed Balls and George Osborne give their best guide to public speaking. You’re welcome. You could have been listening to this episode of EMQs early and ad-free! Become a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes and receive early access to EMQs. Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrency Remember to send us your questions to questions@politicalcurrency.co.uk Assistant Producer: Miriam Hall Producer: Rosie Stopher Technical Producer: Mikey Nissenbaum Executive Producers: Dino Sofos and Ellie Clifford Subscribe now on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It was a bonkers week for American politics, on both sides. Team Trump went from an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania to a fiery convention in Wisconsin. Biden’s camp had NATO, fresh calls for him to drop out of the race and a Covid diagnosis to round it off, all in a matter of days. And amongst it all, a fresh political operative came into the limelight: Donald Trump’s newly-named running mate JD Vance. Turns out, he’s an old friend of George’s and a long-time fan of the former Cameron-Osborne government. George Osborne reveals all about the man who could be VP and suggests he could be taking notes from Keir Starmer’s playbook. Ed Balls isn’t so sure. In fact, he’s pretty horrified by the suggestion altogether… Back home, and British politics is positively placid by comparison. The former PM Rishi Sunak is learning the art of being a good loser, and using a bit of humour to get through it all. Labour is making big moves with its foreign policy. What does it tell us about their future plans? Join POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes, receive early access to EMQs. Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrency Remember to send us your questions to questions@politicalcurrency.co.uk Assistant Producer: Miriam Hall Producer: Rosie Stopher Technical Producer: Mikey Nissenbaum Executive Producers: Dino Sofos and Ellie Clifford Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Subscribe now on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As England heads to the final of Euro 2024 - are the politicians who claim to love the beautiful game faking it for political gain? We’ve seen Keir Starmer’s new ministerial appointments - but what on earth do all these snappily named secretaries, under-secretaries, and private secretaries actually do? If there’s one thing Ed Balls and George Osborne love, it’s a deep dive into the inner workings of government, so politics nerds: Roll up, roll up. And how can voters gauge whether their new MP is any good or not? You could have been listening to this episode of EMQs early and ad-free! Become a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes and receive early access to EMQs. Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrency Remember to send us your questions to questions@politicalcurrency.co.uk Assistant Producer: Miriam Hall Producer: Rosie Stopher Technical Producer: Mikey Nissenbaum Executive Producers: Dino Sofos and Ellie Clifford Subscribe now on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While Keir Starmer gets on with the business of naming ministers and settling in at Number 10, the Tories are picking up the pieces of their shattered party and considering the best person to turn the ship around. So who is the new Rishi? Is it Kemi, Suella, Priti? Whoever gets the top job needs to be a healer, George says, and not a warrior. Meanwhile, winning a campaign is one thing, staying in government is another. Ed and George think Labour is in danger of lurching into technocrat territory when all the people want is some competence around here. And, fond memories are flowing of when Ed got the ministerial call up. Apparently Tony Blair took an unorthodox approach…. You could have been listening to this episode ad-free! Become a member of POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes and receive early access to EMQs. Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrency Remember to send us your questions to questions@politicalcurrency.co.uk Assistant Producer: Miriam Hall Producer: Rosie Stopher Technical Producer: Mikey Nissenbaum Executive Producers: Dino Sofos and Ellie Clifford Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Subscribe now on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A brand new cohort of MPs have descended on Westminster today and with them comes a flurry of policy announcements. What does Keir Starmer’s cabinet say about the kind of Prime Minister he wants to be? And might he regret some of the very ambitious changes his ministers are making? The last Labour government was defined by foreign policy. So what are the big forces which could shape the future of Keir Starmer’s government? Ed and George talk about the shock result in France, as well as Starmer’s approach to the conflict in Gaza. And a huge thanks for listening to our Election Extras – we hope you’ve really enjoyed them. You could have been listening to this episode EARLY and AD-FREE! Subscribe to POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes and receive early access to EMQs every Friday. Get a free trial now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrency Producer: Rosie Stopher Executive Producers: Dino Sofos and Ellie Clifford Subscribe now on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A new dawn, a new day, and a new government. Not quite Blair ‘97, Ed Balls and George give us the inside track on exactly how things are playing out inside No. 10 Downing Street right now. From cabinet appointments to civil servants, this is the guide you need. But Keir Starmer’s landslide is just one half of the story today - the Tory and SNP downfall and the rise of Reform tell their own tales. Ed and George share their most standout moments of the past 24 hours and give their takes on how this will play out for the major parties as they (try to) move forward. To celebrate the election, we’ll be exclusively answering subscriber questions in our post-result special on Monday 8th July. It’s not too late to have your chance! Join POLITICAL CURRENCY GOLD 🏅 to enjoy ad-free listening to all our episodes, receive early access to EMQs and to listen on Mondays to our brand new ELECTION EXTRAS. Subscribe now: patreon.com/politicalcurrency or on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/politicalcurrency Remember to send us your questions to questions@politicalcurrency.co.uk Assistant Producer: Miriam Hall Producer: Rosie Stopher Technical Producer: Oliver Geraghty Executive Producers: Dino Sofos and Ellie Clifford Subscribe now on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.