Political Currency

What if: Obama versus Trump 2028?

What if the Brexit vote was flipped? Would George Osborne actually be our… former Prime Minister? And what would have happened during the Covid-19 outbreak in that case?George Osborne and Ed Balls are back with another ‘What if’ episode, thinking about some of the most consequential sliding doors moments in modern politics. Looking further back, what if it was actually Neil Kinnock who had won the 1992 election? How might Black Wednesday have played out under a Labour government? Finally, they imagine a showdown between Obama and Trump for a third term in 2028. Can Trump really stand constitutionally? Would it be wise for the Democrats to run Obama or is there a better candidate to beat Trump? Thanks for listening. Remember Kitchen Cabinet members get exclusive access to live EMQs recordings, briefings from the team, and an exclusive Political Currency mug.👉 patreon.com/politicalcurrency👉 Apple PodcastsPlease note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question. Credits:Research: Sam BurtonProduction: Paige Reynolds and Caillin McDaidVideo Editor: Avi Asher Executive Producer: Ellie CliffordPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bridget Phillipson on the two-child cap, Reform, and the deputy leadership

Education secretary Bridget Phillipson joins George Osborne on the podcast this week for a special conversation, giving him another sit down with a rising cabinet member after his interview with Wes Streeting in the summer. The pair talk about the challenges of entering government and whether Labour (or any party) still prioritises education, education, education. They debate the effectiveness of scrapping the two-child benefit cap versus reviving plans like Sure Start, and what to expect from the education department in 2026. They also talk about Phillipson’s deputy leadership campaign, how she felt about being ‘No. 10’s candidate’, and whether she would contest any future leadership bids…Finally, they turn to the challenge on every Labour MP’s mind: Reform. Phillipson’s Sunderland constituency is at the heart of the Reform challenge to Labour, which means she is acutely aware of the looming threat. How can her party can beat Nigel Farage?Don’t forget to vote for us as the Political Podcast Awards People’s Choice of the year. Follow the link to vote: https://politicalpodcastawards.co.uk/the-peoples-choice-award/ And we love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question.Thanks for listening. Subscribe now for ad-free listening and early access. Kitchen Cabinet members also get exclusive access to live EMQs recordings, briefings from the team, and an exclusive Political Currency mug. Sign up today.👉 patreon.com/politicalcurrency👉 Apple PodcastsPlease note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.Credits:Production: Paige Reynolds and Caillin McDaidVideo Editor: Avi AsherExecutive Producer: Ellie CliffordPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Christmas EMQs: Who is the ultimate political traitor?

Pop the champagne, Ed and George are feeling Christmassy in the Political Currency studio, answering some very special questions. Claudia Winkleman asks who the ultimate political traitor is? Who do they pick for 2025… and of all time? Plus, our listeners ask Ed and George about the gifts they have bought for their loved ones - did George ever get David and Sam Cam any wallpaper… and also what books they’d recommend as stocking fillers. Rob Rinder asks George whether he really thinks he could have done better than Ed on Strictly Come Dancing. And he also asks a more serious question: why do they think anti-semitism has been on the rise?Then, seeing as it’s the season, a listener asks about Ed and George’s favourite Westminster pubs and finally, it’s Ed’s time to shine as a listener asks for his ultimate Christmas recipes.Thank you so much for all your support in 2025. We have loved hearing from you and we can’t wait to hear more of your questions in 2026. Send them to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question.Don’t forget to vote for us as the Political Podcast Awards' People’s Choice of the Year. Follow the link to vote: https://politicalpodcastawards.co.uk/the-peoples-choice-award/ Thanks for listening. Remember Kitchen Cabinet members get exclusive access to live EMQs recordings, briefings from the team, and an exclusive Political Currency mug👉 patreon.com/politicalcurrency👉 Apple PodcastsPlease note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.Credits:Production: Paige Reynolds and Caillin McDaidVideo Editor: Avi AsherExecutive Producer: Ellie CliffordPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sir Ed Davey on his plan to take the fight to the far right

Can Sir Ed Davey really take the fight to the right when it comes to the next election? In this special episode of Political Currency, Ed Balls speaks to the Liberal Democrat leader - and his politician of the year from 2024. In this wide-ranging conversation, the two Eds talk about Ed Davey’s passion for care provision and his deeply personal connection to the issue. Ed Balls also asks Ed about his time in the Coalition government with George Osborne and they reflect on their shared school days - including time spent out of the classroom. But will Ed Balls finally return the history notes he lost?Plus, with Nigel Farage’s Reform rising up the ranks, Ed Balls asks Ed Davey if he would go into a coalition with Nigel Farage at the next general election. Don’t forget to vote for us as the Political Podcast Award’s People’s Choice of the year. Follow the link to vote: https://politicalpodcastawards.co.uk/the-peoples-choice-award/ And we love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question.EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/politicalcurrency Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee!Thanks for listening. Remember Kitchen Cabinet members get exclusive access to live EMQs recordings, briefings from the team, and an exclusive Political Currency mug: tr.ee/gift-pc👉 patreon.com/politicalcurrency👉 Apple PodcastsPlease note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.Credits:Production: Paige Reynolds and Caillin McDaidVideo Editor: Avi AsherExecutive Producer: Ellie CliffordPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EMQs: What's your most embarrassing moment as a politician?

What’s the most embarrassing moment you’ve ever had caught on camera? Good Morning Britain’s Susanna Reid asks George and Ed to walk down an excruciating memory lane. And she puts a question from ChatGPT to them, in light of George’s new gig. But which question is better?George reveals William Hague’s incredible method for making sure meetings run on time and Ed helps a Gold listener finally understand the joke at the front of the show? Why on earth would George think he was on the Titanic?A listener shares their experience as a Jewish person in the UK, after the attack on Bondi Beach. And, Nick Thomas-Symonds, cabinet member and famed biographer of Harold Wilson compliments George on his impression of the former Prime Minister - though makes a slight correction. He wants to know when Ed and George think the leaders they served were most resilient. Finally - seeing as it’s nearly Christmas - Ed and George muse on where Santa does his Christmas shopping… Don’t forget to vote for us as the Political Podcast Award’s People’s Choice of the year. Follow the link to vote: https://politicalpodcastawards.co.uk/the-peoples-choice-award/ And we love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question.Plus, why not give the gift of Political Currency this Christmas! Kitchen Cabinet members get a Christmas card from Ed and George, a Political Currency mug and even more exclusive perks including our newsletter and access to live events. Sign yourself or a loved one (or an enemy) up today: tr.ee/gift-pcPlease note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/politicalcurrency Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee!Credits:Research: Sam BurtonProduction: Paige Reynolds and Eve JonesVideo Editor: Maha Al-BadrawiExecutive Producer: Ellie CliffordPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.