Rayner, Reeves and Reform

‘Phase two’ of Starmer’s Labour government gets off to a rocky start

An episode of the Political Fix podcast, hosted by Financial Times, titled "Rayner, Reeves and Reform" was published on September 5, 2025 and runs 32 minutes.

September 5, 2025 ·32m · Political Fix

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Summary

It wasn’t the start to the new parliamentary term that Prime Minister Keir Starmer hoped for. His insistence that his focus is now on “delivery, delivery, delivery” was eclipsed by the furore surrounding the deputy prime minister, Angela Rayner, over her tax affairs. To discuss where her precarious position leaves Starmer, plus his attempts to get the economic agenda back on track, host George Parker is joined by political correspondent Anna Gross, FT columnist and author of the daily Inside Politics newsletter Stephen Bush, and FT economics commentator Chris Giles. Plus, as the party conference season kicks off, the team looks at what’s on the menu for Reform UK supporters at their first ever conference.Follow George on Bluesky or X: @georgewparker.bsky.social, @GeorgeWParker; Stephen @stephenkb; Anna @AnnaSophieGross and Chris @chrisgiles_Going to the FT Weekend Festival at Kenwood House Gardens in London on Saturday September 6? George and Lucy Fisher will be hosting a breakfast event, talking politics and podcasts, in the Experience Tent from 9.45am. FT Live has a 10% discount for all FT podcast listeners with the promo code FTPodcasts. Find a registration link to use with the discount hereSend a question, ideally as a voicenote, to our email address: [email protected] up to Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek. Get 30 days free here Want more?The UK is a Fiscal Saint not a SinnerReform UK ‘going to the next stage’, says deputy leaderKeir Starmer seeks to get a grip on UK economy with new hiresThis episode of Political Fix was presented by George Parker, and produced by Philippa Goodrich. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Manuela SaragosaRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode Description

Follow George on Bluesky or X: @georgewparker.bsky.social, @GeorgeWParker; Stephen @stephenkb; Anna @AnnaSophieGross and Chris @chrisgiles_

Going to the FT Weekend Festival at Kenwood House Gardens in London on Saturday September 6? George and Lucy Fisher will be hosting a breakfast event, talking politics and podcasts, in the Experience Tent from 9.45am. FT Live has a 10% discount for all FT podcast listeners with the promo code FTPodcasts. Find a registration link to use with the discount here

Send a question, ideally as a voicenote, to our email address: [email protected]

Sign up to Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek. Get 30 days free here

Want more?

The UK is a Fiscal Saint not a Sinner

Reform UK ‘going to the next stage’, says deputy leader

Keir Starmer seeks to get a grip on UK economy with new hires

This episode of Political Fix was presented by George Parker, and produced by Philippa Goodrich. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Manuela Saragosa

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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