The Most Unpredictable By-election in Years? and Student Loan 'Debt Traps' episode artwork

EPISODE · Feb 26, 2026 · 38 MIN

The Most Unpredictable By-election in Years? and Student Loan 'Debt Traps'

from Whitehall Sources

In this episode of the Whitehall Sources Podcast, Calum Macdonald and political strategist Jo Tanner break down one of the most unpredictable by-elections in recent years — a potential three-way fight between Labour, Reform, and the Greens in Gorton and Denton. Calum and Jo are joined by Scarlett McGuire, founder of Merlin Strategy, to break down the political implications of the vote. They discuss the political make up of the constituency, how tactical voting could sway the vote and whether the first-past-the-post electoral system will be able to cope with up to 6 major parties in play in different parts of the UK. If you want to find out more about the candidates for the Gorton and Denton by-election, taking place on Thursday 26th February, follow this link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crkrpgvkd0noCalum and Jo also discuss that Good Morning Britain spat between Martin Lewis and Kemi Badenoch and ask if the current student loan system is in fact a 'debt trap'. Connect with us:💬 WhatsApp the show: 0333 404 6507 (Start your message with "Whitehall")🔔 Subscribe for more insights into the heart of Westminster politics and policy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Feb 26, 2026

Embed this episode

NOW PLAYING

The Most Unpredictable By-election in Years? and Student Loan 'Debt Traps'

0:00 38:23

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

No similar episodes found.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Whitehall Sources?

This episode is 38 minutes long.

When was this Whitehall Sources episode published?

This episode was published on February 26, 2026.

Can I download this Whitehall Sources episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.
URL copied to clipboard!