Welcome to our first edition of EMQs - Ex-Ministers' Questions... see what we did there?. Every Monday, our ex-ministers will take your questions. Ed Balls and George Osborne will also hear from some influential and famous voices.In our first episode: did the Lib Dems agree to ditch their pledge on tuition fees during the coalition talks? What is the Barnett formula and is it fair? And why are Special Advisers such as Dominic Cummings so influential?To send in your questions for next week's episode, email questions@politicalcurrency.co.uk - we love to get your voice notes!Follow us on social media: @polcurrencyProducers: Rachel Balmer and Rosie StopherProduction Manager: Flick HeathExecutive Producers: Dino Sofos and Ellie CliffordPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and part of the Acast Creator Network Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Political Currency

EMQs: Special Advisers, tuition fees and is the Barnett formula fair?

General election fever begins as George shares his insider tip on when the country can expect to go to the polls. But the new year has kicked off with new problems for political leaders. What do they need to get in order first? How can they tackle a much older issue that’s been dominating politics this week? The ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office has captured the public’s imagination and led to demands for justice. Ed and George reflect on how they missed the story the first time round, and whether it will change the role of local MPs.And as war rages on in Ukraine and between Israel and Gaza, Ed and George examine the Taiwanese election, which could have the potential to trigger more global conflict if the result doesn’t please China. What should you look out for as the island goes to the polls this weekend?Missing our Questions section? Good news! EMQs - that’s Ex-Ministers’ Questions - will now drop every Monday morning with more answers than we have time for in the Thursday episode. Make sure you’re subscribed to this feed to listen, and send your questions to questions@politicalcurrency.co.ukFollow us on social media: @polcurrencyProducers: Rachel Balmer and Rosie StopherProduction Manager: Flick HeathExecutive Producers: Dino Sofos and 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.

George reveals the election date!

After two days of negotiations, the Conservatives had begun to worry a deal was slipping through their fingers. So what shifted to put David Cameron in Number 10? Danny Alexander is back with Ed and George to relive the five tense days in 2010 that led to a coalition government between the Tories and the Lib Dems.In our second instalment, Ed and George grill Nick Clegg’s former Chief of Staff and lead negotiator about the moment he told Gordon Brown he had to go, and why the Lib Dems decided to join forces with the Tories. The former insiders also discuss what Keir Starmer, Rishi Sunak and Ed Davey can learn from these tense negotiations.Inside The Room is a new series from Political Currency, where Ed and George dive deep into the big moments of political history. They will draw back the curtain on the drama and emotions that have fuelled the decisions made at the highest level, and explore the lasting effects those choices have had today.Producers: Rachel BalmerProduction Manager: Flick HeathExecutive Producers: Dino Sofos and Ellie CliffordArchive: BBC News and Sky News Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Inside The Room: The Coalition Talks (Part 2)

To the shock of the whole country, the 2010 general election delivered a hung parliament. The result kick-started five days of arguments and negotiations as the real race to Number 10 began between Gordon Brown and David Cameron, with Nick Clegg as kingmaker. In this special episode, Ed Balls and George Osborne are joined by Danny Alexander, who was Nick Clegg's Chief of Staff and the Lib Dem lead negotiator during the coalition talks. George and Ed were also leading negotiations on behalf of David Cameron and Gordon Brown. The three take us 'inside the room' of the talks, giving insider first-hand accounts of the high-octane, stressful, and emotional negotiations.Part 2 of 'Inside The Room: The Coalition Talks' drops on January 4th. Inside The Room is a new series from Political Currency, where Ed and George dive deep into the big moments of political history. They will draw back the curtain on the drama and emotions that have fuelled the decisions made at the highest level, and explore the lasting effects those choices have had today.Producer: Rachel BalmerProduction Manager: Flick HeathExecutive Producers: Dino Sofos and Ellie CliffordArchive: BBC News and Sky NewsPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Inside The Room: The Coalition Talks (Part 1)

Ed and George answer questions from some very special guests...Jeremy Hunt asks about the power budgets can have on elections, Stephen Fry grills George on the Elgin Marbles, and Susannah Reid wants to know what Ed and George think is the most significant TV interview they’ve seen. As we head into an election year, they reminisce on their first time as candidates, how they met their big political partners, and Rachel Reeves asks them about their best Christmases in the Treasury.Producer: Rachel BalmerProduction Manager: Flick HeathExecutive Producers: Dino Sofos and 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.

Christmas Questions Special: Jeremy Hunt, Rachel Reeves & Stephen Fry

George comes bearing gifts… the news of a winter election next year. As parliament winds down for Christmas, Ed and George reveal there’s no rest for politicians. The mood in the Tory party is gloomy, but could this be a critical moment for the opposition to strike?Cameron, Starmer and Sunak have all been calling for a ‘sustainable ceasefire’ in Gaza. But is there such a thing? George throws down the challenge to our new ‘Rolls-Royce’ foreign sec.The junior doctors are on strike again. Ed and George think they’re asking for too much. Can any government get this under control before polling day?Producers: Rachel Balmer and Rosie StopherProduction Manager: Flick HeathExecutive Producers: Dino Sofos and 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.

Do They Know It's Election Time?

It’s not just Rishi Sunak’s approval rating which has taken a battering. Keir Starmer has his own popularity problem. Why?The so-called ‘five families’ of the Tory party threaten to “go to the mattresses” over the Rwanda bill, but end up bottling it. Is Mark Francois really the next Don Corleone? Ukraine’s President Zelensky has embarked on a world tour, pleading for more money for the Ukraine war. Is it time to rethink their strategy? And why London’s time as the great financial centre of the world might be over.Email: questions@politicalcurrency.co.ukFollow us on social media: @polcurrencyProducers: Rachel Balmer and Rosie StopherProduction Manager: Flick HeathExecutive Producers: Dino Sofos and 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.

Keir Starmer’s popularity problem

Another week… another meltdown for the Conservatives. Ed and George ask whether the Tory civil wars have been reignited by the rift over Rwanda and Robert Jenrick’s shock resignation. Is Sunak’s position weaker than ever?Meanwhile former prime ministers haunt party leaders wherever they go. Boris Johnson is giving evidence at the Covid inquiry, painting a picture of chaos during his tenure. George shares his own theories about the dire state of Johnson’s personal finances.And Keir Starmer faces his critics after evoking Margaret Thatcher’s legacy this week. Ed and George share their stories about the Iron Lady.Producer: Rachel Balmer and Rosie StopherProduction Manager: Flick HeathExecutive Producers: Dino Sofos and 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.

Tory shambles: Rwanda resignation and Boris at the Covid inquiry

The Autumn Statement hasn’t delivered the stability and calm that Sunak and Hunt likely hoped for. A rift in the party over immigration, a chaotic Covid inquiry and to top it off, a diplomatic incident with the Greek PM over the Parthenon Sculptures. In a week where Sunak hoped his Global Investment Summit would grab the headlines, why are the Tories failing to land their message?Meanwhile, it's reported Sunak rebuffed Cabinet Secretary Simon Case’s proposals to allow talks between the opposition and the Civil Service to begin. Ed and George shed some light on the process, and why Sunak shouldn’t block Labour preparing for government.Email: questions@politicalcurrency.co.ukFollow us on social media: @polcurrencyProducers: Rachel Balmer and Rosie StopherProduction Manager: Flick HeathResearcher: Archie Herrod RobinsonExecutive Producers: Dino Sofos and 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.

Sunak's Greek Tragedy

The Autumn Statement continues to ripple through Westminster, and a new energy price cap puts the cost of living back into the spotlight. As the Chancellor continues his media rounds and Labour weighs in with their response, Ed and George share their experiences of the political traps set by big budget shakeups. Meanwhile, immigration is the big topic around the world today, as new migration figures are released in the UK, and elections are won in the Netherlands and Argentina over the issue. So just how can a government show they’re taking immigration concerns seriously while still filling jobs?Email: questions@politicalcurrency.co.ukFollow us on social media: @polcurrencyProducers: Rachel Balmer and Rosie StopherProduction Manager: Flick HeathExecutive Producers: Dino Sofos and Ellie CliffordThis is a Persephonica Production and part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Losing control of migration?

George and Ed react to Jeremy Hunt's Autumn Statement. Is he really the tax cutting Chancellor he's claiming to be, and are we on course for an early election? And we’ll be back again tomorrow with more detail on the Chancellor’s plans as the picture becomes clearer.Email: questions@persephonica.comExec producer: Dino SofosProducer: Rachel BalmerProduction Manager: Flick HeathPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

HOT TAKE: The pre-election Autumn Statement?

It’s been a wild week in Westminster and it’s starting to look like the Tories are losing their grip. Ed and George chew over the Supreme Court’s judgment on Rwanda and what it means for Sunak. Could his new Foreign Secretary slam the brakes on some Tories’ hopes to leave the ECHR?Meanwhile, Keir Starmer faced a huge rebellion of his MPs over the SNP’s ceasefire amendment. Ed explains why this isn’t as big a threat to the Labour leader as it first appears... And though this psycho-drama has quickly buried any good news on inflation, over at No.11 Jeremy Hunt has his head down in Autumn Statement preparations. George reflects on how something as simple as a pasty can cause everything to fall apart. Email: questions@politicalcurrency.co.ukFollow us on social media: @polcurrencyProducers: Rachel Balmer & Paige ReynoldsProduction Manager: Flick HeathExecutive Producers: Dino Sofos and 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.

Tories at war and a Labour rebellion

Rishi Sunak has finally sacked Suella Braverman, and the reshuffle has opened the door for the most unlikely return to politics: David Cameron. In our first HOT TAKE bonus episode, Ed Balls and George Osborne - his closest political friend - brings us the inside scoop on our new Foreign Secretary.Email questions@politicalcurrency.co.ukFollow us on social media: @polcurrencyExec producers: Ellie Clifford and Dino SofosProducer: Rachel BalmerProduction Manager: Flick HeathPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

HOT TAKE: The Return of David Cameron

Suella Braverman has attacked the Met Police Chief’s decision to allow the pro-Palestine march this Saturday, putting Rishi Sunak in a tricky position. Ed asks George whether firing her is the only option.Civil servants and ministers are currently scrambling around the Treasury to get everything ready for the upcoming Autumn Statement. All eyes will be on Jeremy Hunt: will he survive his big moment?And Nadine Dorries’ book is out today, shedding light on the shadowy group she calls ‘the Movement’ operating at the heart of government. Is populism over in British politics?Email: questions@politicalcurrency.co.ukFollow us on social media: @polcurrencyProducers: Rachel BalmerResearcher: Archie Herrod RobinsonProduction Manager: Flick HeathExecutive Producers: Dino Sofos and 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.

How do you solve a problem like Suella?

It was Dominic Cummings' turn at the Covid inquiry this week and - as George predicted - we heard about the misogynistic language being used in Boris Johnson's Number 10. What does it reveal about the toxic culture operating in Westminster at that time? And why this isn't ancient history for the Tories.Trouble is still brewing for Keir Starmer over his party's response to the Israel-Gaza conflict. Is his political authority in danger?And why the American economy is having a much bigger impact on your house price than you think.Email: questions@politicalcurrency.co.ukFollow us on social media @polcurrencyProducers: Paige ReynoldsResearcher: Archie Herrod Robinson Production Manager: Flick HeathExecutive Producers: Dino Sofos and Ellie CliffordThis is a Persephonica Production. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The price of Johnson's toxic Downing Street culture

Ed Balls and George Osborne take us behind closed doors into the rooms where decisions are made. Having battled it out across the despatch box, the former Chancellor and shadow chancellor now meet in the studio to discuss the decisions that affect the nation’s pockets. Our frenemies have the knowledge and experience to explain how good politics follows the economics - and expose how the powerful become powerless when faced with market forces and political currents they can’t control. Join us every Thursday.Send your messages or voice notes to questions@politicalcurrency.co.ukFind us on social media @polcurrencyPolitical Currency is a Persephonica production. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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