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National Maternity Adviser Michelle Welsh: “We Are Not Waiting For More Babies To Die”
Health
National Maternity Adviser Michelle Welsh: “We Are Not Waiting For More Babies To Die”
Labour MP Michelle Welsh has just been appointed the government’s first national maternity adviser. She tells Sienna Rodgers about her personal experience of birth trauma and why she’s fighting for all mums and babies to be better treated by our maternity services
Lord Heseltine: 'We Must Not Have Reform Or Restore Anywhere Near The Corridors Of Power'
Home affairs
Lord Heseltine: "We Must Not Have Reform Or Restore Anywhere Near The Corridors Of Power"
Lord Heseltine speaks to Noah Vickers about regenerating Britain’s cities, the devolution agenda and why Margaret Thatcher ‘would have hated’ Nigel Farage
Andy Burnham: The Makerfield Campaign, The Aftermath And His Prep For Government
Political parties
Andy Burnham: The Makerfield Campaign, The Aftermath And His Prep For Government
Andy Burnham supporters are increasingly optimistic about Makerfield. Sienna Rodgers explores what comes after the by-election
Stephanie Peacock: “I've Got No Time For Conversations About Rejoining The EU”
Culture
Stephanie Peacock: “I've Got No Time For Conversations About Rejoining The EU”
Tourism minister Stephanie Peacock talks to Sienna Rodgers about introducing a controversial tourist tax and tackling short-term holiday lets – plus why Labour finds itself in a mess, but relitigating Brexit would be wrong
Michael Grade: I Am Very, Very Worried About The Future Of British TV
Culture
Michael Grade: I Am Very, Very Worried About The Future Of British TV
Former TV executive Lord Grade has just stepped down as chair of Ofcom. He tells Noah Vickers about his eventful career, enforcing the Online Safety Act and why critics of GB News are secretly ‘embarrassed’
Inside Andy Burnham's Makerfield Campaign: “Nobody Thinks This Is In The Bag”
Political parties
Inside Andy Burnham's Makerfield Campaign: “Nobody Thinks This Is In The Bag”
Will Andy Burnham’s big by-election bet on Makerfield pay off? Sienna Rodgers talks to Labour MPs, insiders and activists who reveal the campaign strategy and what’s worrying them
Meet Japanese Ambassador Hiroshi Suzuki, Who Loves Pubs, Paddington And The Premier League
Foreign affairs
Meet Japanese Ambassador Hiroshi Suzuki, Who Loves Pubs, Paddington And The Premier League
Diplomacy is having a lean period as wars rage on, but it has found a star in Hiroshi Suzuki. Japan’s ambassador to the UK tells Ben Gartside about his love of the UK, the power of social media and travels with his stuffed toy
Emily Thornberry: “I Wanted Keir To Have More Of An Opportunity To Be Himself”
Foreign affairs
Emily Thornberry: “I Wanted Keir To Have More Of An Opportunity To Be Himself”
Foreign Affairs Committee chair Emily Thornberry tells Sienna Rodgers Labour needs ‘bold and brave and open leadership’ – from radicalism at home to the EU reset and British soft power around the world
Caitlin Prowle: “People Want The Labour Party To Look, Talk And Feel Like The Labour Party”
Parliament
Caitlin Prowle: “People Want The Labour Party To Look, Talk And Feel Like The Labour Party”
As the Labour Party finds itself in the middle of an internal battle while in government, its sister party thinks it can see a way forward. Sienna Rodgers speaks to the Co-operative Party’s assistant general secretary Caitlin Prowle
Edtech Wars: Meet The Mums Fighting Screens In Classrooms
Education
Edtech Wars: Meet The Mums Fighting Screens In Classrooms
As consensus grows around the need for social media and smartphone restrictions for under-16s, Sienna Rodgers reports that campaigner mums across the country are now bringing the fight to edtech
James Cleverly: What £2m Will Really Get You in London
Communities
James Cleverly: What £2m Will Really Get You in London
Shadow housing secretary James Cleverly speaks to Noah Vickers about Keir Starmer’s ‘blatant’ misogyny, scrapping Labour’s mansion tax, and considering a run for London mayor
Alf Dubs: Labour Is Weakening Refugee Rights – I Had More Success Under The Tories
Home affairs
Alf Dubs: Labour Is Weakening Refugee Rights – I Had More Success Under The Tories
As Lord Dubs leads the charge against the government’s immigration changes, he talks to Sienna Rodgers about his disappointment in Labour, his hopes for rejoining the EU, and why Keir Starmer must step out of his advisers’ shadow
Olympic Medallist Baroness Davies: “I’m Not Going To Lie. Is That A Problem?”
Culture
Olympic Medallist Baroness Davies: “I’m Not Going To Lie. Is That A Problem?”
From racing doped East German swimmers to campaigning on women’s sport, Olympic medallist turned Conservative life peer Baroness Davies tells Sienna Rodgers that fairness will drive her work in the Lords
Culture Clash – Lisa Nandy On Keeping Hope Alive
Communities
Culture Clash – Lisa Nandy On Keeping Hope Alive
Critics say Lisa Nandy should spend more time meeting stakeholders in her brief, but the Culture Secretary tells Francis Elliott she’s fighting for the government to give hope to the most vulnerable. Photography by Tom Pilston
Inside The Battle For Labour's Mainstream: Luke Akehurst Vs Luke Hurst
Political parties
Inside The Battle For Labour's Mainstream: Luke Akehurst Vs Luke Hurst
Two internal players called Luke are battling to claim Labour’s mainstream. The outcome of their rivalry will shape the future of the party – and possibly the country. Sienna Rodgers reports
Zack Polanski: “There’s A Lot Of Inauthenticity In Politics, But It’s Not Coming From Me”
Political parties
Zack Polanski: “There’s A Lot Of Inauthenticity In Politics, But It’s Not Coming From Me”
Green Party leader Zack Polanski talks to Sienna Rodgers about his by-election success, potential Labour defectors, and how his upbringing shapes his views on Zionism
The Professor Will See You Now: Waka
Political parties
By Professor Philip Cowley
The Professor Will See You Now: Waka
Lessons in political science. This week: waka
Danny Kruger: 'If We Don’t Win, Or If We Win And Make A Mess Of It, I Fear For Our Country'
Political parties
Danny Kruger: 'If We Don’t Win, Or If We Win And Make A Mess Of It, I Fear For Our Country'
Ex-Tory MP Danny Kruger reveals to Sienna Rodgers his plans as Reform UK’s head of preparing for government, from election readiness to pronatalist ambition – and why he fears for Britain if his party makes ‘a mess of it’
Inside The Wes Streeting Operation At DHSC: “He's Political Up To His Eyeballs”
Health
Inside The Wes Streeting Operation At DHSC: “He's Political Up To His Eyeballs”
Is Wes Streeting a details man? What do his days look like? Who does he delegate to? Sienna Rodgers and Zoe Crowther explore how the Health Secretary runs his department
Casework Crisis: Increase In Constituency Caseload Takes Its Toll
Political parties
Casework Crisis: Increase In Constituency Caseload Takes Its Toll
The inexorable growth in casework is stopping MPs from fulfilling their other roles. Alice Lilly sifts through the inbox looking for what might be done to relieve the pressure
FBU's Steve Wright: “We’ve Got A Labour Government But That Doesn’t Mean The Attacks Stop'
Home affairs
FBU's Steve Wright: “We’ve Got A Labour Government But That Doesn’t Mean The Attacks Stop"
Steve Wright, the Fire Brigades Union general secretary, talks to Sienna Rodgers about losing firefighters and battling Reform UK
How Thousands Of Ukrainian Children In The UK Are Growing Up In Limbo
Education
How Thousands Of Ukrainian Children In The UK Are Growing Up In Limbo
More than 60,000 Ukrainian children have grown up in the UK since fleeing Russia’s full-scale invasion. Zoe Crowther explores how the absence of a long-term settlement plan is leaving these children and their families in limbo.
NEU's Daniel Kebede: 'Schools Have Become A Battleground For Reform'
Education
NEU's Daniel Kebede: "Schools Have Become A Battleground For Reform"
Head of the UK’s biggest teaching union Daniel Kebede tells Matilda Martin that schools are the frontline in the fight against Reform – and teachers should get time off for Glastonbury
Ex-Ofsted Chair Baroness Spielman: “We Can't Take All The Effort Out Of Learning”
Education
Ex-Ofsted Chair Baroness Spielman: “We Can't Take All The Effort Out Of Learning”
Conservative peer and former Ofsted chair Baroness Spielman talks to Sienna Rodgers about the SEND crisis, her time at the regulator and why some parents need stigmatising
Justice Minister Jake Richards: 'It's Very Dangerous To Underestimate Keir Starmer'
Communities
Justice Minister Jake Richards: "It's Very Dangerous To Underestimate Keir Starmer"
Fast-tracked into government after just over a year in Parliament, justice minister Jake Richards tells Sienna Rodgers about his plans to overhaul youth justice, reform the ECHR and face down Labour rebels
Labour MPs Are Competing For Wes Streeting's Ear On Puberty Blockers
Health
Labour MPs Are Competing For Wes Streeting's Ear On Puberty Blockers
Amid the persistent will-he-won’t-he speculation over Wes Streeting’s leadership ambitions, Tom Scotson and Sienna Rodgers talk to the Labour MPs applying pressure on the Health Secretary over the divisive puberty blockers trial
Inside The Battle Over Banning Under-16s From Social Media
Technology
Inside The Battle Over Banning Under-16s From Social Media
Under pressure, Starmer has opened the door to an Australia-style ban on under-16s using social media. But the Prime Minister’s own thinking on the issue is changing as he fights with Kemi Badenoch to champion online safety. The House reports on an issue inflaming passions like few others
How Spies Target Parliament: Influence And The Value Of Westminster Gossip
Home affairs
How Spies Target Parliament: Influence And The Value Of Westminster Gossip
A recent wave of alerts, convictions and the furore over the dropping of an alleged Chinese espionage case all serve as a reminder that Parliament is and has always been a prime target for spies. Gordon Corera explains how times have changed
Tom Tugendhat: UK 'Ending Up Like A Potemkin Power'
Defence
Tom Tugendhat: UK "Ending Up Like A Potemkin Power"
Former security minister Tom Tugendhat speaks to Noah Vickers about the state of the UK’s military, his bids for the Tory leadership and why Keir Starmer – and his own party – must get off TikTok
RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey: 'Here's The Thing – Strikes Are Effective'
Economy
RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey: "Here's The Thing – Strikes Are Effective"
RMT union general secretary Eddie Dempsey talks to Sienna Rodgers about the potential for disputes under Great British Railways, the value of ‘militant strike action’, and why he won’t be leaving his council home
Santa votes Green, Scrooge votes Reform
Political parties
By Professor Philip Cowley
Santa votes Green, Scrooge votes Reform
Who do you think Santa votes for? Chances are it's whichever is your preference. But once that bias is discounted, it turns out Father Christmas is all for Zack Polanski.
'We're Not Squeamish': Westminster Is Slowly Waking Up To The Birth Rate Crisis
Education
"We're Not Squeamish": Westminster Is Slowly Waking Up To The Birth Rate Crisis
Parents of pre-school children in London are delighted: thanks to our collapsing birth rate, it seems the catchment areas of good local state schools keep getting bigger.
Children In 'Supported Living' Are Paying The Price For A Broken Care System
Education
Children In 'Supported Living' Are Paying The Price For A Broken Care System
So-called ‘supported’ living for teenagers in care is supposed to be a last resort or final stepping stone to independence. But Justine Smith finds struggling councils are being financially incentivised to misuse the newly legal provision – and put children at risk
Inside The Race To Mine The UK's Critical Minerals
Economy
Inside The Race To Mine The UK's Critical Minerals
The UK has deposits of critical minerals but has stopped mining them. Sophie Church hears that, if we don’t take advantage of our assets, others are waiting
Mel Stride: Let's Bring The 80s Back With A More Popular Capitalism
Economy
Mel Stride: Let's Bring The 80s Back With A More Popular Capitalism
Shadow chancellor Mel Stride tells Noah Vickers about reforming the welfare system, why the Tories are sticking with the triple lock and Rachel Reeves’ rental licence blunder
The Corbyn-Sultana Power Struggle: How 'Your Party' Got Here And How It Ends
Political parties
The Corbyn-Sultana Power Struggle: How 'Your Party' Got Here And How It Ends
Ahead of its founding conference, Sienna Rodgers reports on the hostilities within the new left-wing project, Your Party, as Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana battle each other for control