Free Daily Podcast Summary
Political Fix: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Financial Times
The Financial Times takes you into the corridors of power to unwrap, analyse and debate British politics with a regular lineup of FT correspondents and informed commentators.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 5 days ago39 min
What Trump’s setback means for Britain
US President Donald Trump received a body blow to his presidency as the Republican Party was routed in the US midterms this week. What will be the impact on this side of the Atlantic — and the wider world? Is a weakened Trump good news for a progressive, left-leaning government? Or could the results encourage Trump to lash out via foreign policy, especially regarding Iran and Ukraine? And what does it mean for Nigel Farage and his long-term links with Trump? Host Lucy Fisher discusses the fallout of this monumental week for global politics with deputy political editor Jim Pickard and deputy comment editor Miranda Green. Plus, the panel gets into Labour’s shift in immigration policy and the dispute over reparations for Britian’s historical role in the slave trade which dominated the Commonwealth summit.Follow Lucy on X or Bluesky @LOS_Fisher, @lucyfisher.ft.com; Miranda:@greenmiranda and @greenmirandahere.bsky.social and Jim @PickardJE and @pickardje.bsky.socialWant more? A weakened Trump still leaves Britain on edge Democrats look to reshape America after historic midterm victoriesHow corruption became a top voter issue in the US midtermsThe beginning of the end of the age of TrumpDonald Trump’s endgameMPs summon Poundland’s owner to select committee grillingGiving 16-year-olds the vote is only half the jobOur email address is politicalfix@ft.comPresented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Clare Williamson. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The broadcast engineers are Andrew Giordgiades and Bianca Wakeman. The FT’s head of audio is Flo Phillips.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 1 weeks ago54 min
Burnham’s Budget balancing act
Andy Burnham’s chancellor John Healey delivered his maiden budget on Wednesday. With ballooning debt, poor growth and rising inflation, the mantra was very much ‘steady as we go’ – with only modest announcements on tax and spending. Households have been helped with energy costs while banks, landlords and savers have been hit. Healey insisted he was doing his best to help, but was it enough to secure long-term economic health and security for the UK? Host Lucy Fisher discusses these questions and lots more from FT subscribers with UK political editor George Parker, markets columnist Katie Martin and economics editor Sam Fleming.This is a recording of an FT Live subscribers’ webinar.Follow Lucy @lucyfisher.ft.com & @LOS_Fisher; George @georgewparker.bsky.social & @GeorgeWParker and Sam @Sam1FlemingWant more? John Healey hits banks and savers to fund modest Budget handoutUK Budget 2026: Healey defends Budget as economic warnings grow Budget in brief: what you need to knowHealey fiddles while the UK stagnatesProperty tax rise will push more landlords to sell, Healey warned Britain’s Budget buys time but ducks the hard choices Our email address is politicalfix@ft.comPresented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Clare Williamson. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The broadcast engineers are Colleen Velle and Petros Gioumpasis. The FT’s head of audio is Flo Phillips.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 2 weeks ago36 min
100 days of Burnham
Is Andy Burnham winning over voters with his promise to put ‘hope in every heart and growth in every postcode’? As the prime minister marks almost 100 days in the job, the FT has been polling swing voters in Sheffield to discuss his performance, the state of the country and how he stacks up against the other political parties. Host George Parker discusses the findings with pollster Scarlett Maguire, deputy political editor Jim Pickard and political correspondent David Sheppard. Plus, the panel discusses the government’s controversial decision to develop the Jackdaw gasfield in the North Sea.Follow George @GeorgeWParker and @georgewparker.bsky.social; David @OilSheppard and @oilsheppard.bsky.social and Jim @PickardJE and @pickardje.bsky.socialWant more? Has Andy Burnham won over British voters?UK approves development of Jackdaw gasfield in North SeaAndy Burnham’s North Sea ‘pragmatism’ is no big shift from Keir Starmer’s John Healey to quash visa hopes for wealthy in UK BudgetThe people shaping the BudgetStratford moves closer to international rail upgrade with Budget boost What will the UK Budget mean for Britain? Join Lucy Fisher and political editor George Parker, markets columnist Katie Martin, economics editor Sam Fleming and north of England correspondent Jen Williams for an exclusive FT subscriber webinar on October 29. To register, and send us your questions, go to ft.com/budget2026 (Registration includes access to the video replay.)Our email address is politicalfix@ft.comPresented by George Parker. Produced by Clare Williamson. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The broadcast engineers are Andrew Giorgiades and Petros Gioumpasis. The FT’s head of audio is Flo Phillips.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 3 weeks ago43 min
Burnham: straight-talker or loose cannon?
Is Andy Burnham's habit of speaking off the cuff getting him into trouble? From Brexit interference and Scottish independence to Manchester City, the prime minister's impromptu interventions are making headlines. Host Lucy Fisher is joined by deputy opinion editor Miranda Green and UK chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley to discuss whether Burnham's style is an asset or liability. Plus, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visits Number 10, the Liberal Democrats are growing restless with their leader, and public policy editor Chris Smyth brings us the latest on the government's welfare reforms.Follow Lucy on X or Bluesky @LOS_Fisher, @lucyfisher.ft.com; Chris: @Smyth_Chris and @chris-smyth.bsky.social; Miranda:@greenmiranda and @greenmirandahere.bsky.social and Robert: @robertshrimsley and @robertshrimsley.bsky.socialWant more? Russia ‘interfered’ in 2016 Brexit vote, says Andy BurnhamOne in 6 UK disability benefit claimants should not receive cash, says think-tankYoung people to receive less cash but more job support under Milburn welfare planHow the Greens lost their party to the hard leftEU leaders to urge Zelenskyy to rein in criticism of TrumpAre the Liberal Democrat birds angry or just disappointed?Andy Burnham’s own goalWhy I don’t write about the Liberal Democrats What will the UK Budget mean for Britain? Join Lucy Fisher and colleagues political editor George Parker, markets columnist Katie Martin, economics editor Sam Fleming and North of England correspondent Jen Williams for an exclusive FT subscriber webinar on October 29. To register, and send us your questions, go to<a href="http:
- Oct 9, 202645 min
Has Polanski blown it for the Greens?
Labour has held on to Sir Keir Starmer’s old seat in Holborn and St Pancras, in a boost to Andy Burnham but a major setback for Green leader and by-election candidate Zack Polanski. Host Lucy Fisher is joined by deputy political editor Jim Pickard and columnist Stephen Bush, who weigh the impact of the Greens’ anti-Zionist position and round up the news from the Tory Party conference. Have pledges to cut taxes, boost the military and reform welfare put them back on the electoral map? Plus, we get the latest from the business community ahead of the Budget with UK chief business correspondent Ashley Armstrong.Follow Lucy on X or Bluesky @LOS_Fisher, @lucyfisher.ft.com ; Stephen @stephenkb and @stephenkb.bsky.social; Jim @PickardJE @pickardje.bsky.social; Ashley @AArmstrong_saysWant more? Labour holds off Greens’ Polanski to win London by-electionSix things we learnt from the Tory party conferenceHealey warns banks that UK faces ‘challenging’ fiscal picture but stays tight-lipped on taxBurnham pledges to end use of non-compete clausesKemi Badenoch’s pitch goes some way to assuaging British business concernsKemi Badenoch: ‘I refuse to play by Westminster rules’Tory inheritance tax pledge: do the sums add up?Kemi Badenoch’s European nightmareWhat will the UK Budget mean for Britain? Join Lucy Fisher and colleagues political editor George Parker, markets columnist Katie Martin, economics editor Sam Fleming and North of England correspondent Jen Williams for an exclusive FT subscriber webinar on 29 October. To register, and send us your questions, go to ft.com/budget2026. Registration includes access to the video replay.Our email address is political<a href="mailto:fix@ft.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" ta
- Sep 30, 202632 min
Labour Party conference: Hope again?
Recorded in front of an audience at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, host Lucy Fisher and political editor George Parker unpack Andy Burnham’s first conference speech as prime minister. From rethinking Britain’s relationship with the EU to ending the pensions triple lock and scrapping the electoral system, Burnham laid out an ambitious agenda for the country. Lucy and George speak to business secretary Jonathan Reynolds about the prime minister’s plans, before northern correspondent Jennifer Williams and Inside Politics writer and columnist Stephen Bush join them to give their takeaways from the week.Want more? Free links:Andy Burnham sets up battle lines on social care and EuropeHow would Andy Burnham’s social care shake-up work?Burnham’s brave new world — just one more election awaySix takeaways from Andy Burnham’s conference speechA faintly hopeful mood at Labour conferenceSign up here for Stephen Bush’s morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free.Political Fix was presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Persis Love. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Video editing, original music and mix by Breen Turner. Flo Phillips is the FT’s global head of audio. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- Sep 25, 202636 min
Will Burnham call a snap election?
Labour officials in Downing Street and beyond have discussed the parameters in which a snap election could be called. Will Andy Burnham take the gamble? As speculation about the idea grips Westminster, host Lucy Fisher is joined by political editor George Parker and deputy political editor Jim Pickard to weigh up the risks and rewards of going to the public early. They also look ahead to the Labour Party conference in Liverpool starting this weekend, and the troubles that lie ahead for UK-EU relations. Plus George reports back from Burnham’s first major international summit at the UN general assembly in New York, where the prime minister weathered his first encounter with Donald Trump.Follow Lucy on X or Bluesky @LOS_Fisher, @lucyfisher.ft.com ; George on @georgewparker.bsky.social, @GeorgeWParker; Jim @PickardJEWant more? The risks of calling an early election for Andy BurnhamTreasury open to smaller fiscal headroom to reduce UK tax risesThe FT’s budget dashboard: the data confronting chancellor John HealeyLabour conference set to vote on new AI regulator as cabinet concerns growDonald Trump rejects ‘globalist scheme’ to control AI in blow to Andy BurnhamUK to provide military support to Saudi Arabia in its fight with Houthi rebels<a href="https://www.ft.com/content/dffca393-d969-4e31-86bc-09ed6c06fbf0?accessToken=zwAAAaFyIH3ql89bZ3LIkHpCMNOeAVQ5RVDg5c9d7Muyc1RIVtOpi8GcjHPW79P9JmgKLkpO9NObf0c1ow_t2M8mYOhEaqpJpNOreqr99qPYBc8OA1IfxPFCQtOP_w40onom288XprN03zVOEtOWxlPjDtZP5NPf_KOT2WlOMdOGvAntbAb78AE.MEYCIQCAstDHC1UYb8
- Sep 18, 202637 min
Budget blues
With borrowing costs and inflation rising, are the UK’s finances worse than Burnham and Healey thought? Host Lucy Fisher is joined by FT colleagues George Parker, political editor, and Stephen Bush, columnist, to discuss the tightening fiscal outlook ahead of the October Budget, and whether scrapping the triple lock on pensions would cost the government more politically than it would save in cash terms.Plus, Reform’s week of mega-donations — and the Labour government’s response, and the leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland begin a new push for independence from the UK.Follow Lucy: @LOS_Fisher; George: @georgewparker.bsky.social, @GeorgeWParker; Stephen @stephenkb Want more? Britain, Burnham and tax: the walls close inHealey prepares UK for ‘really challenging’ budgetNigel Farage refuses to say if Reform UK’s £72mn gifts would comply with new capUK state pension will surpass income tax threshold next yearBank of England says rates likely to rise as it overhauls gilts salesIt’s time to scrap the triple lockScrapping triple lock on pensions need not wreak p
Get Political Fix summaries in your inbox
Free AI-powered daily recaps. Key takeaways, quotes, and mentions — in a 5-minute read.
Get Free Summaries →Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
You Might Also Like
Listeners also like.
Unhedged
Markets experts from the Financial Times break down the key ideas driving today’s financial news.
FT Tech Tonic
Explores the impact of emerging technologies on society, business, and everyday life.
Pod Save the UK
Comedians and journalists analyze UK politics with guests, offering insight and solutions on current events.
Matt Chorley's Urgent Questions
BBC Radio 5 Live
Analysis
Examines the ideas and forces shaping public policy in Britain and abroad with writers, journalists, and academics.
Broadcasting House
BBC Radio 4
Political Thinking with Nick Robinson
In-depth conversations with political figures and influencers about their lives and the experiences that shaped their worldviews.
Van Bekhovens Britten | BNR
Lia van Bekhoven en Connor Clerx bespreken wekelijks de belangrijkste nieuwsgebeurtenissen en ontwikkelingen in het Verenigd Koninkrijk.
In the Balance
BBC World Service
Economist Podcasts
Daily global news analysis from correspondents on major international stories.
The Briefing Room
BBC Radio 4
Business Daily
A daily exploration of the world of money and work from the BBC.
Customized Recaps
AI-powered recaps with compact key takeaways, quotes, and insights.
Straight to Your Inbox
Get key takeaways from Political Fix in a 5-minute read.
Save Hours Every Week
Stay current on your favorite podcasts without falling behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Podzilla's Political Fix daily summary?
It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of Political Fix as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
How does the Political Fix podcast summary work?
When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
Is this an official Political Fix product?
No. Podzilla is an independent service that summarizes publicly available podcast content. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by Financial Times.
Can I get summaries of other podcasts too?
Absolutely! The free plan covers up to 3 podcasts, any in the catalog. Basic raises that to 15, Pro to 40 and Max to 100. Browse our full catalog at /podcasts.
How often does Political Fix release new episodes?
Political Fix publishes weekly. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
What topics does Political Fix cover?
Political Fix covers topics including News, Politics. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
Start getting Political Fix summaries tomorrow morning.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.