The News Agents

George Galloway has said that Keir Starmer’s woken up to his “worst nightmare”, after the former Labour MP won the Rochdale by-election by almost 6,000 votes.Jon and Lewis analyse Galloway’s victory, and ask what this means for Keir Starmer ahead of this year’s General Election. Is it really the nightmare scenario Galloway is making it out to be?Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusProducer: Laura FitzPatrickVideo Production: Shane FennellyYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/Clips:GB News, George GallowayLBC, Ellie ReevesCherwell, Oxford University, George Galloway

Right now the Treasury are flying more kites than you would see on top of Parliament Hill on a windy day. This comes ahead of next week’s budget - the last before the general election. But one policy is particularly eye-catching. It's the idea that the Tories are about to tax non-doms - the flagship Labour policy. Whether you want to call it shooting Keir’s fox or stealing his clothes, it would be an audacious move.Also, how do the Royal family square the circle of remaining in the public eye while wanting maximum privacy at this difficult time? Couldn’t their communications be more effective?Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusProducer: Laura FitzPatrickVideo Production: Shane FennellyYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

Liz Truss was doorstepped by the BBC in Westminster today and asked to explain why she'd been talking about the dangers of the 'deep state' at a Washington Conference over the weekend. Keir Starmer went one step further in his Commons questions - asking Rishi Sunak why he hadn't kicked her out of the party for her 'tin hat' conspiracy theories? Keir Starmer loves Liz Truss as he's seen polling showing just how unpopular she is with the public. He's trying to tie her travails to those of a weak leader, too scared to move against the former PM. Later, is it the Home Secretary's job to tell Gaza protesters to go home? James Cleverly gave The Times an interview to say it was stretching police resources, and everyone already understood their message. Is that how protesting works? Is that how politics work? We speak to the former Met Assistant Commissioner Helen King and Liberty - who's taking Suella to the High Court today.Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusProducer: Laura FitzPatrickVideo Production: Shane FennellyClips:BBC, Liz TrussSky News, Chris PhilpYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

Gabby Logan and Mark Chapman, two of the UK’s best sports broadcasters, host a brand new twice-weekly podcast exploring the stories behind the sports... Drawing on their wealth of experience and insight, with exclusive interviews and expert analysis, Gabby & Mark tackle the big issues and explain not just what’s happening, but why. They'll also bring a healthy dose of humour when needed too.The Sports Agents will bring you inside the greatest sporting events from around the world in what promises to be a truly memorable year of sport.New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.The Sports Agents is a Global Player Original Podcast.

Paul Scully, former Minister for London, has given his first extended interview to The News Agents since he talked about 'no-go' areas in Tower Hamlets and Birmingham. What did he mean? And what was he trying to say about Lee Anderson? What is it about the Tories deputy chairmen that makes them say this stuff? Today, we have a go at answering that. Is Rishi scared of losing the voters he thinks Lee Anderson stands for? And is he right to think Lee talks for the Red Wall? Or is that just a slur in it's own right? Later, what was President Biden doing in an ice cream parlour talking about Gaza.Editor: Tom HughesProducer: Laura FitzPatrickSocial Media Editor: Gabriel RadusVideo Production: Rory Symon & Shane FennellyClips:X, Rosie HoltLBC, Michael TomlinsonBBC Radio London, Paul ScullyMSNBC, Joe BidenYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/And, The News Agents now have merch! To get yours, head to: https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Former Deputy Tory Chair Lee Anderson was suspended from the Conservative party this weekend after accusing the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan of 'giving the capital city away to his (Islamist) mates.' In Sadiq Khan's first extended interview, he tells the News Agents that Anderson 'practices the politics of hate' and the Tory party has shown a tacit approval for it. We also chat Rochdale and whether the SNP should get a second chance from the Speaker to hold their Meaningful Vote on a ceasefire.Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Rory Symon & Shane FennellyClips:Lee Anderson with Chris Hope on GB News on FridayRishi Sunak on BBC Radio York this morningMark Harper on Nick Ferrari on LBC this morningSky News doorstep of Mr. Anderson this afternoonYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/And, The News Agents now have merch! To get yours, head to: https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Joe Lycett is one of the biggest comedians in Britain today. He has also, over time, become more and more political. He’s had a new show on Channel 4 this week, Joe Lycett vs Sewage, where he has tried to expose and understand one of the biggest public policy scandals of our time. In this extended conversation with Lewis, he talks about what drives him, his slow politicisation, and why arguments about “woke” comedy, leave him cold.Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusProducer: Laura FitzPatrickSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Rory Symon & Shane Fennelly You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/And, The News Agents now have merch! To get yours, head to: https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Sir Paul Marshall is a Tory donor, hedge fund millionaire, co-owner of GB News and - according to his anonymous Twitter account - amplifier of far right conspiracy theories and extremist views on the Great Replacement Theory. In today’s episode, Hope Not Hate has worked with The News Agents to ask why a front runner bidding to buy the Telegraph has been engaging with anti Muslim statements by Britain First - and has - since we first approached him - deleted hundreds of likes and retweets from his now empty account. Sir Paul has said they are not aligned with his views and represent 'a small proportion’ of his social media posts. Will the government find him a fit and proper person to own media in the UK? Later, chaos in the Commons. What did last night’s ruckus really mean? Will the Speaker survive? Are our MPs safe ?Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusProducer: Laura FitzPatrickSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Rory Symon & Shane Fennelly You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/And, The News Agents now have merch! To get yours, head to: https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Why did Kemi Badenoch accuse a whistleblower of lying - in a row over compensation payouts to Post office victims?And why isn't the Prime Minister prepared to investigate what was actually said? Today, Keir Starmer put those questions to the government in the tone of a barrister preparing a quiet but devastating court case. Is Kemi sure she's right, even though the sacked chairman of the Post Office is fighting back? And what happens to her - the darling of the Tory right and leadership front runner - if she's proved wrong. Later, how much power does Sue Gray wield in the Labour party? We talk to Keir Starmer's biographer Tom Baldwin.Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusProducer: Laura FitzPatrickSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind BadewalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/And, The News Agents now have merch! To get yours, head to: https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Prince William has expressed his deep concern about the terrible human cost of the middle east conflict and expressed his desire to see an end to the fighting as soon as possible. There's lots of head scratching going on right now: is the heir to the throne calling for a ceasefire? Is this the governments line or just the monarchy's position? Did this come from the Foreign Office? And should he be getting involved at all? Meanwhile, as Labour finally find a way of demanding an immediate ceasefire, we talk to the SNP's Stephen Flynn who says it wouldn't have happened without pressure from them. Later, why is Rishi Sunak quoting Eisenhower to talk to the NFU? And what is happening to England's rural vote...?Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusProducer: Laura FitzPatrickSocial Media Editor: Rory SymonVideo Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind BadewalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/And, The News Agents now have merch! To get yours, head to: https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Alexei Navalny's widow Yulia has laid the blame for her husband's murder directly with Putin. Few world leaders seem to disagree. There is much grave talk of 'consequences' and 'action'. But what does that really mean? Short of Putin losing the Ukraine war, what would really hurt him enough to stop him murdering?We talk to hugely influential Putin critic Bill Browder who tells us who the 'next Navalny' will be if we don't act now. Later, why is Kemi Badenoch calling the former chairman of the Post Office a liar? Henry Staunton has stood by his allegations that the government was dragging its feet on Post Office compensation payouts ahead of the election. Is she really going to go to war over this?Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusProducer: Laura FitzPatrickSocial Media Editor: Rory SymonVideo Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind BadewalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/And, The News Agents now have merch! To get yours, head to: https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Two more Labour wins in two more by-elections. Kingswood and Wellingborough were very safe Conservative seats, but now they've turned red.  The Conservatives have now suffered the most by-election defeats of any government since the 1960s - so what does this mean in a General Election year?Later, we reflect on the life of Russian opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, who has died in a Russian prison.Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusProducer: Laura FitzPatrickSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind BadewalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/And, The News Agents now have merch! To get yours, head to: https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

The UK is in recession - which means the economy has been shrinking for most of the last year.What does that do to our standard of living? And what are the political choices that have to be made?The Tories are still talking about tax cuts - even if that means more cuts to public services. Labour has ditched its mega promise of borrowing 28 billion to invest in the economy. So what's the way out? Later, as Putin confesses he found Tucker Carlson a bit of a soft interviewer, we discuss how you do accountable interviewing in an age where 'facts dont matter'.

In the past 7 days Sir Keir Starmer has had to face down a leak over his big policy U-turn, a policy U-turn and the suspension of two Labour candidates for anti-Israel and/or anti-Semitic comments. A third person in the room at the time is, we understand, being 'spoken to'. It's probably not been a great week for party morale - but has any of it hit Labour's poll lead? And will any of it translate into actual voting in the by election results tomorrow? We talk to pollster Luke Tryl from More in Common. Later - rats, open sewage, cockroaches and drugs. Chief Inspectorate of Prisons Charlie Taylor talks us through the worst report he's ever penned on our prison system as we ask whether the justice system or the accommodation limitations dictate who is put behind bars.A Prison Service Spokesperson said:“The findings of this inspection are unacceptable which is why we’re taking urgent action to address the concerns raised. This includes deploying extra frontline officers to reduce violence and improve safety, undertaking refurbishments to improve living conditions, and ensuring offenders get greater access to the education and skills they need to turn their backs on crime.”Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusProducer: Laura FitzPatrickSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind BadewalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/And, The News Agents now have merch! To get yours, head to: https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Keir Starmer insists he took "decisive action" by suspending the Rochdale candidate Azhar Ali from the Labour party. Should it have come quicker? How damaging has it been to the wider party? And what on earth is going to happen in what's fast becoming the weirdest by election in modern history - with not one but three former Labour candidates. Later, we look at Rafah, in Gaza - now bracing itself for a ground incursion from an Israeli government that seems hell-bent on finishing a military mission. What does it take to get Netanyahu to stop? Will the US cease selling him weapons? And how does this sit alongside international negotiations for a prolonged ceasefire. Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusProducer: Laura FitzPatrickSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind BadewalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/And, The News Agents now have merch! To get yours, head to: https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Keir Starmer has gone out of his way to break with his party's antisemitic past and to reshape the Labour parliamentary party. But this weekend, shadow ministers found themselves in the unenviable position of having to defend the Labour candidate for Rochdale for 'mistakenly believing a conspiracy theory' instead of calling him out for his antisemitic remarks about whether Israel had turned a blind eye to the Hamas atrocities as 'a green light for a full on Gaza invasion'. Azhar Ali is standing against George Galloway which is perhaps why Labour is nervous. What should happen to all those other MPs suspended by the party leader for antisemitic remarks?And where does this leave Keir Starmer on his Middle East foreign policy more widely? Also, Trump has encouraged Russia to invade NATO countries that dont pay their bills. Well of course he has. Why is Europe surprised? And has it figured out America under Trump is not going to care about our security? We discuss why we've been so slow to listen to what he's saying.**This episode was recorded before Labour withdrew their support for Rochdale candidate Azhar Ali**Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusProducer: Laura FitzPatrickSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind BadewalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/And, The News Agents now have merch! To get yours, head to: https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

When will strikes end - and are Labour the party to stop the constant drumroll of them?We're joined by the most charismatic man on the left of British politics - who has become synonymous with the public sector striking. Mick Lynch.And later, we talk all things Biden as he hits back against accusations that his mind is ailing - only to then make yet another gaff.Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusProducer: Laura FitzPatrickSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind BadewalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/And, The News Agents now have merch! To get yours, head to: https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

The worst kept secret in politics was freed from its shackles today as Sir Keir Starmer confirmed Labour would drop their 28 billion pound spending pledge on the green economy.It will confirms Rishi's criticism of a flip-flop leader. Why is Keir running scared of spending? Later, is Rishi's own party calling on him to apologise for his trans gag in the Commons yesterday? Why won’t he? We discuss where it’s left him.Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusProducer: Laura FitzPatrickSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind BadewalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/And, The News Agents now have merch! To get yours, head to: https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

How has Rishi Sunak shown so little emotional intelligence that he ended up making his customary 'trans joke'?In the presence of the mother of a brutally murdered trans teenager. What does this tell us about the disconnect between his politics and the people he serves? And what does it mean for the divisive culture war that has formed the rump of so much recent conservative campaigning?Today we discuss decency, standards in public life and leadership with Lord Simon McDonald, and ask whether we've allowed intolerable rhetoric to become normalised in the slapstick of party politics.Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusProducer: Laura FitzPatrickSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind BadewalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/And, The News Agents now have merch! To get yours, head to: https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Liz Truss and her mates have been selling their version of popular conservatism in central London this morning. They were delighted to see Lewis at their launch who spoke to Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg and Nigel Farage about both their vision and their seeming hypocrisy. We ask Sir Charles Walker, of the same party, if he recognizes this brand of conservatism or if they are in fact “useful idiots“ for the right-wing fringe Reform UK party .Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusProducer: Laura FitzPatrickSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind BadewalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/And, The News Agents now have merch! To get yours, head to: https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Northern Ireland's new first minister Michelle O'Neill has had her knuckles metaphorically rapped by the PM - who's warned politicians to "focus on the day to day" of the brand new power sharing deal - and not start conversations about a united Ireland. Could Ireland really unite within he decade? How many voters want to see that happen? And are we missing the bigger picture of what this deal actually means and where the vulnerabilities still lie? Later, Chris Steele is the former MI6 officer sued by Trump over the 'pee pee gate dossier'. That case has now been thrown out by a judge. He talks us through what it was like being sued by the former president and his fears that the US security services will be cowed into covering up what they know - if Trump returns.Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusProducer: Laura FitzPatrickSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind BadewalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/And, The News Agents now have merch! To get yours, head to: https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Justice Minister and MP for Finchley and Golders Green, Mike Freer, announced he would be leaving politics this week, fearing for his and his family's safety after an arson attack on his office. Years on from the two shocking murders of MPs Jo Cox and Sir David Amess, we ask why has it become so dangerous to become an MP?Lewis travels to Mike Freer's burnt-out constituency office in North London, and we hear from Kim Leadbeater MP, the sister of Jo Cox, who now sits in Parliament as an MP in her late sister's constituency.Later, LBC's Henry Riley tells a tale about one Laurence Fox.Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusProducer: Laura FitzPatrickSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind BadewalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/And, The News Agents now have merch! To get yours, head to: https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Paris is under siege. And this time, it's the farmers. But why?After weeks of tractors on the straße in Germany, France are hit by similar trouble. It's causing great consternation for an increasingly weak French president Emmanuel Macron.So today we ask, is Macron losing control of France as the far-right rises in Europe? And how big of a problem is this for the EU in Brussels?Later, we talk to the Conservative mayor of West Midlands, Andy Street. Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusProducer: Laura FitzPatrickSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind BadewalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/And, The News Agents now have merch! To get yours, head to: https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

It’s been four years since we formally left the EU - and its been eight years of trying to square an impossible circle. How do you keep Brexiteers happy, the EU on board and Northern Ireland’s government up and running, all at once?Well today Rishi came through with a deal which might - big emphasis MIGHT hit the spot. We take you through what we know. Later, Nicola Sturgeon explains to the Scotland Covid inquiry which she didn’t, sorry did, sorry didn’t really delete her WhatsApp messages. It all gets a bit emotional.Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusProducer: Laura FitzPatrickSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind BadewalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/And, The News Agents now have merch! To get yours, head to: https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Last weekend the Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch made clear - in her trademark no nonsense style - that she wished all those trying to plot against and undermine Rishi Sunak would shut up and go away. In unrelated news, the Guardian revealed last night she's part of a Whatsapp group called.... The Evil Plotters. Are the rumblings of Prime Ministerial removal getting louder? Is policy being dictated by those he fears? And what to make of the IMF warning his chancellor NOT to cut taxes at the next election because our public services can;t afford it? Later, we look at the power sharing deal in Northern Ireland - could this be Rishi's legacy? And we ask whether Laurence Fox, who lost his libel case at the High Court, can or cannot be called 'a racist'.We approached Mr Fox for comment and he had nothing to add.Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusProducer: Laura FitzPatrickSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind BadewalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/And, The News Agents now have merch! To get yours, head to: https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Emily and Jon host a weekly US politics podcast in the run-up to the 2024 US presidential election; giving you everything you need to know about the world of US politics and how it affects you.Episodes are available every Tuesday or Wednesday, on Global Player.Find the latest episode of News Agents USA here on Global Player.

The Telegraph editor began the morning by asking how ‘everyday British life would change in a global conflict’. Trump has already called it for WW3. On today’s episode we ask why the language has ratcheted up and whether we are already in a war without fully realising. How will President Biden respond to the deaths in Jordan of US servicemen?And is this all part of the Israel-Hamas war - or is Iran using that as a pretext to provoke America?Later, why is Truss at war with Rishi-again - this time, over vaping.Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusProducer: Laura FitzPatrickSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind BadewalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/And, The News Agents now have merch! To get yours, head to: https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Alabama has executed convicted murderer Kenneth Eugene Smith with nitrogen gas, the first time this method of capital punishment has been used anywhere in the world.On today's show Lewis asks how it has come to this, and whether the US government will be gassing more of its criminalsLater, we take a huge handbrake turn to talk to the creator of the year's biggest TV show and cultural phenomenon - The Traitors. He tells Lewis how they choose the Traitors and even hints at a celebrity version.Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusProducer: Laura FitzPatrickSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind BadewalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/And, The News Agents now have merch! To get yours, head to: https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

The head of the army - General Sir Patrick Sanders - has said the UK needs to train and equip a citizen army to be on the front door for any future war with Russia. The PM has hastily ruled out conscription but on today's episode, we consider whether the era of peace is over. And ask what we are prepared to do if the threats deepen. Later, election denier Trump has talked up a purge of bureaucrats and security forces. Are we happy to nod Trump through as he advocates a police state? And why are senior politicians here cheering him on?Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusProducer: Laura FitzPatrickSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind BadewalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/And, The News Agents now have merch! To get yours, head to: https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

The week started with Lucy Frazer, the Culture Secretary calling out the BBC for bias and a failure of impartiality. She struggled to give many examples of either. Today, Prospect magazine has done a deep dive into what it calls ‘the right-wing cabal waging war on the principles of our public broadcaster‘. Is the BBC in thrall to the government? Or is it another institution the government is fighting? Later, What was Sir Simon Clarke hoping to achieve by calling for the PM to go? And is the rebellion now dead - or just getting going.Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusProducer: Laura FitzPatrickSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Rory Symon & Arvind BadewalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/And, The News Agents now have merch! To get yours, head to: https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Today we hear from Ziv, who was at the Nova music festival and saw her friends die. Her boyfriend is a hostage. And from Eli whose 18 year old daughter Liri is being held by Hamas. And we ask the Israeli government why they’re so convinced their plan is working. The Israeli government insists their war against Hamas is working. But there are 130 Israeli hostages still in Gaza, and many many thousands of dead civilians. Later, we discuss voter ID and whether the Tories are disenfranchising the young from voting.Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusProducer: Laura FitzPatrickSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind BadewalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/And, The News Agents now have merch! To get yours, head to: https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

PSA: If you want all the latest on the departure Ron de Santis and the Republican Presidential primary race we have a full bonus episode for you on The News Agents: USA. Find it here.Keir Starmer has accused the Conservative Party of 'desperate, divisive and damaging' politics by picking fights with British instutitions like the National Trust and the RNLI. The Labour leader has previously stayed clear of the culture wars and stuck on the hard-fought territory of the economy and the new shape of the Labour Party. But today's speech placed charities and cultural insititutions at the heart of British life as something he was prepared to defend. Has he given the Tories new amunition? Or found a whole new constituency of voters?Plus - PopCon - not the fantastic snack but the new Tory group headed up by one Liz Truss. But will the most unpopular British leader of modern history be able to make the Popular Conservatives at all relevant as he gear up to this year's election?Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusProducer: Laura FitzPatrickPlanning Producer: Alex BarnettSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind BadewalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/And, The News Agents now have merch! To get yours, head to: https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

2024 is still young but from Gaza to Ukraine to Pakistan, somewhere new is seemingly pulled into the mire of geopolitical clashes what seems like every day. In an extended interview, Lewis asks Lord David Owen - Britain's oldest foreign secretary - about the state of the world and where we fit in. And, ahead of an election that could see Labour and Lib Dems play a prominent role in the balance of Westminster power, we ask the man who left the Labour Party to found the SDP party - the precursor to the Liberal Democrats what he makes of the parties, and of Westminster today. Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusProducer: Laura FitzPatrickPlanning Producer: Alex BarnettSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind BadewalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/And, The News Agents now have merch! To get yours, head to: https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Rishi won his Rwanda bill as the rebels all but melted away. But how much of a victory is it - and can he convince the Lords to leave it alone? The former deputy prime minister is having trouble finding Rwanda. And the former Deputy Chair is unhappy with Labour sniggling(?) at him. Rishi's poll position just got worse. Later, we look at the issue raising alarm bells for the medical community. As the government passes new legislation on their regulation - are physicians associates putting patients lives at risk? And before we go Count Binface graces The News Agents galaxy so we never again forget his name....Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusProducer: Laura FitzPatrickSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind BadewalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/And, The News Agents now have merch! To get yours, head to: https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

After a couple of dramatic resignations last night from Tory rebels, the government appears fairly confident it CAN get it's Rwanda bill through the commons. But at what cost? Rishi has had to fight both flanks of his party. And those on his right are increasingly sounding like they're prepared to sack off the ol' rule of law to stop judges getting in the way of Rwanda flights taking off. Is the government prepared to follow them? And what kind of Conservatism would that be? Later, we look at Iran flexing its muscles in the region - why is it attacking Syria, Iraq and Pakistan?Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusProducer: Laura FitzPatrickSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind BadewalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/And, The News Agents now have merch! To get yours, head to: https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

60 Tory rebels are currently off signing amendments to Rishi Sunak's Rwanda bill including - checks notes - his two deputy chairmen who are on the government payroll. What message does this send out? And why havent they resigned their posts if they cannot even back their Prime Minister?Rishi is trying to fend off ANY amendment but he is - checks notes again - in the process of hiring extra lawyers, with 5,000 more sitting days - to make sure every individual migrant appeal gets fast tracked out of the way. Is this really the best use of our overstretched legal system? And, we look at the effect boundary changes could have on the election and - if you're looking for Iowa caucus coverage we have a whole episode on the US elections on our sister podcast The News Agents USA out this evening - find it here.Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusProducer: Laura FitzPatrickSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind BadewalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/And, The News Agents now have merch! To get yours, head to: https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Emily and Jon host a weekly US politics podcast in the run-up to the 2024 US presidential election; giving you everything you need to know about the world of US politics and how it affects you.Episodes are available every Tuesday, on Global Player.Find the latest episode of News Agents USA here on Global Player.

A mystery is afoot: in a critical week for the Government's Rwanda policy - with a looming Commons vote in 24 hours - a YouGov poll has emerged which spells Tory election disaster for Rishi. Look closely and you see that the poll started on December 12th - the same day the Rwanda policy last went through the Commons. Could it be the two are in fact related? In other words, are senior conservatives trying to spell out to Sunak that he must harden up his policy or face wipeout? Or even replacement? And if so, how should Rishi respond? We talk to former Levelling Up Minister Sir Simon Clarke, and Conservative Home's Editor Paul Goodman. And with Iowa temperatures down at -28 degrees celsius, will the big winner of the first Republican caucus be... the sofa?Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusProducer: Laura FitzPatrickSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind BadewalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/And, The News Agents now have merch! To get yours, head to: https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

The war in Gaza has escalated. The UK, US and allies have attacked Houthi militia in Yemen, who themselves have been attacking Western shipping routes in the Red Sea. Meanwhile, on Thursday South Africa took Israel to court, in the ICJ, the International Court of Justice in The Hague.They contend that Israel is committing acts of genocide in Gaza. Israel denies the claims. In this episode Lewis asks whether the case is credible and what might happen if Israel loses. He also talks in an extended interview to Eylon Levy, the ubiquitous spokesman for the Israel government to ask him when the war might end and how Israel can continue to justify the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusProducer: Laura FitzPatrickSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind BadewalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/And, The News Agents now have merch! To get yours, head to: https://www.TheNewsAgentsStore.com

Chris Christie - the only Republican candidate to publically call out Trump’s flaws - has pulled out of the presidential race. Does his departure open the door to Nikki Haley - to beat Trump to the Republican nomination? If she wins the New Hampshire primary in ten days time then all bets are off. Last night saw a cantankerous debate between the two candidates left in the race - whilst Trump was AWOL once again. Is this the last chance Republicans have to turn the race around? Also, who is Stephen Bradshaw, what did he do, and why has he become the latest villain in the post office scandal?Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusProducer: Laura FitzPatrickSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind BadewalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/And, The News Agents now have merch! To get yours, head to: https://www.TheNewsAgentsStore.com

The wrongly convicted Post Office victims have waited up to twenty years to have their prosecutions cancelled. Today, in one swift sentence, the Prime Minister declared them null and void. An initial payout will be made to each of 75 thousand pounds - a drop in the ocean for many of those who've lost livelihoods, homes and jobs. But it is at least a start. Why did the solutions suddenly come so thick and fast (I think we know). What does it tell us about the way we consume news, scandal and corporate malpractice?Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusProducer: Laura FitzPatrickSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind BadewalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/And, The News Agents now have merch! To get yours, head to: https://www.TheNewsAgentsStore.com

One of Jeffrey Epstein's alleged trafficking victims has stood by her claim that sex tapes exist of Prince Andrew and Bill Clinton on Little St James Island, and has painted a lurid picture of Donald Trump's sexual activities. Sarah Ransome - who was in her twenties at the time - had accused Epstein of filming guests on his island in compromising situations, only to then withdraw her testimony and say she made it all up. But today, as court documents disclosed her allegations, she confirmed her original testimony to ITV's Good Morning Britain. Is she a credible witness who's faced intimidation or a fantasist? A spokesperson for Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group said on Monday: “We categorically reject all allegations made by Sarah Ransome. In 2016, Ms Ransome retracted her claims and then in 2019 after settling her claims with Epstein and Maxwell, she also admitted to The New Yorker that the “tapes” had been “invented”. The allegations are baseless and unfounded. “The actions of Jeffrey Epstein were abhorrent and we support the right to justice for the many victims impacted by his abuse.” Donald Trump's spokesman also said Sarah Ransome's claims about the former president were "baseless", "simply false and have no merit".And with regards to Virginia Guiffre, Prince Andrew said he has never met her and has denied her allegations.We talk to an investigative journalist at the Miami Herald, Ben Wieder, who forced the court to make those documents public. Also today, where does the Post Office saga lead us now? And are politician's able to force a change of the law?Editor: Tom HughesProducer: Laura FitzPatrickSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind BadewalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/And, The News Agents now have merch! To get yours, head to: https://www.TheNewsAgentsStore.com

Emily and Jon host a weekly US politics podcast; giving you everything you need to know about the world of US politics and how it affects you.Episodes are available every Tuesday, on Global Player.Find the latest episode of News Agents USA here on Global Player.

Why are more than 700 postmasters still trying to clear their names and access even the most basic compensation more than two decades after they were falsely accused of theft? On today's episode Adeep Sethi tells us how his family warned the Post Office in 2002 about Horizon's problems - he has the proof in a newspaper article. Twenty two years on, and torn apart, they are still fighting for justice. We ask Tory MP and campaigner David Davis whether British justice has failed. A spokesperson for Fujitsu - who rolled out the Horizon system - said: "Fujitsu has apologised for its role in their suffering. Fujitsu is fully committed to supporting the Post Office Horizon IT statutory Inquiry in order to understand what happened and to learn from it. Out of respect for the Inquiry process, it would be inappropriate for Fujitsu to comment further at this time.”And how did Helen Harrison - partner of disgraced Tory MP Peter Bone - get selected as the candidate for his newly vacated seat of Wellingborough? It's a News Agents mystery.Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusProducer: Laura FitzPatrickSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind BadewalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/And, The News Agents now have merch! To get yours, head to: https://www.TheNewsAgentsStore.com

What's next for Ukraine and Russia? For Israel and Gaza? As tensions expand and inflame in the vital trading channel of the Red Sea and Russia continues to bombard Ukrainian cities, what is next for both regions?Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusProducer: Laura FitzPatrickSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Rory Symon & Shane FennellyYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/And, The News Agents now have merch! To get yours, head to: https://www.TheNewsAgentsStore.com

The Prime Minister has pretty much ruled out a May election. He said today that he is "working on the assumption" that the General Election will be in the second half of the year... but he is yet to nail down an exact date.We discuss why he's holding out, the possible dates to put in your diary and how that could cross over with the US Presidential election in November.And later, the Labour leader Keir Starmer sets out his ambitions for the election year.Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusProducer: Laura FitzPatrickSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Rory Symon & Shane FennellyYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/And, The News Agents now have merch! To get yours, head to: https://www.TheNewsAgentsStore.com

It's 2024. (Almost certainly) election year. Parties are in election mode and the pressure is on the PM to demystify when he will call the public to the polls.When will he? Why would earlier or later suit him? And will any date change the Tories' stuttering chances?Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusProducer: Laura FitzPatrickSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Arvind Badewal & Shane FennellyYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/And, The News Agents now have merch! To get yours, head to: https://www.TheNewsAgentsStore.com

In part two of their end of year review, Jon, Emily and Lewis look back on the news from the months of July to December.Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusProducer: Laura FitzPatrickSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Arvind Badewal & Shane FennellyYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/And, The News Agents now have merch! To get yours, head to: https://www.TheNewsAgentsStore.com

In part one of their end of year review, Jon, Emily and Lewis look back on the news from the months of January to June.Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusProducer: Laura FitzPatrickSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Arvind Badewal & Shane FennellyYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/And, The News Agents now have merch! To get yours, head to: https://www.TheNewsAgentsStore.com

Your questions answered in a (very merry) Christmas Q&A special with Jon, Emily and Lewis.Editor: Tom HughesSenior Producer: Gabriel RadusProducer: Laura FitzPatrickSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Arvind Badewal & Shane FennellyYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/And, The News Agents now have merch! To get yours, head to: https://www.TheNewsAgentsStore.com