With the number of people testing positive for Covid-19 in the UK rising daily, Katya Adler looks at whether our social distancing measures go far enough in an extended programme. Joining us are the Conservative former Business Secretary Greg C

Coronavirus: Europe in Lockdown

Mar 15th, 2020 54m 33s

Europe is now the epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic, according to the World Health Organisation. As the number of coronavirus cases spreads across the continent, Katya Adler hears from Dr Margaret Harris from the World Health Organisation a

5 Live Politics: Who Runs The World?

Mar 8th, 2020 52m 13s

A new budget from a new Chancellor facing a global health crisis. How will the Coronavirus affect the Government's first budget since October 2018? We discuss with former Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers, and Cambridge Professor of Public

Coronavirus: containing a crisis?

Mar 1st, 2020 56m 19s

As the Coronavirus spreads at home and abroad, Katya Adler hears from the Health Secretary Matt Hancock on how the Government is preparing to stop a potential crisis. Elsewhere, Labour leadership hopeful Rebecca Long-Bailey tells us about the c

5 Live Politics: The Next Chapter

Feb 23rd, 2020 55m 31s

This week, the UK will publish its wish list for talks with the EU-- as they accuse Brussels of taking too long to agree theirs. So what does Brexiteer and former Conservative Party Leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith make of it all? Ahead of Labour m

Boris's Shiny New Cabinet

Feb 16th, 2020 47m 43s

As the dust settles on the dramatic reshuffle, what should we make of Boris Johnson’s refreshed cabinet? The Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, now with added responsibilities for the Northern Powerhouse, gives us an insight into the direction a

Data Breach? The Labour leadership campaign gets nasty.

Feb 9th, 2020 47m 46s

Labour has reported two members of Sir Keir Starmer's leadership campaign team to the Information Commissioner, over a potential data breach of the party's member database. Sir Keir's team call the allegations 'utter, utter nonsense'. The Party

Brexit: What’s the plan now?

Jan 26th, 2020 56m 15s

As the UK prepares to leave the EU this Friday, John Pienaar probes the Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay for answers on the big questions that still remain on our future relationship. And fresh from announcing his backing of Rebecca Long-Bailey f

You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours?

Jan 19th, 2020 52m 22s

Ahead of the first UK-Africa investment summit, Deputy Political Editor John Pienaar asks the International Development Secretary Alok Sharma if foreign aid is being regeared to benefit British interests. Jess Phillips, the Labour MP for Birmi

Is the UK losing its voice?

Jan 12th, 2020 56m 38s

Post-election and pre-Brexit, what role does the UK play in the world? Deputy Political Editor John Pienaar ponders these questions and more with the Security Minister Brandon Lewis. And as the race to replace Jeremy Corbyn gathers steam, the S

Iran: What now?

Jan 5th, 2020 1h 4m

A brand new Parliament heads back to Westminster this week, and the current tensions between Iran and the US are sure to dominate the conversation. We hear from the Deputy Head of Chatham House’s Middle East programme Dr Sanam Vakil, and the fo

The Speaker Speaks

Dec 22nd, 2019 47m 57s

In our final programme of the year, Deputy Political Editor John Pienaar is joined by the former MP and Westminster veteran Ken Clarke, the new Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle, impressionist Jon Culshaw and the comedian behind the ‘Man Next Door’ Twi

Labour's Next Battle

Dec 15th, 2019 54m 41s

As the dawn rises on a new parliament, what's next for the two major parties? Joining John Pienaar for a “period of reflection” is Corbyn-ally and Unite leader Len McCluskey, Conservative grandee and 1922 Chairman Sir Graham Brady, and Labour M

Election 2019: Truth and Lies

Dec 8th, 2019 58m 41s

With just four days to go before we brace the cold weather and take to the polls, we ask if in this election, politics has lost respect for the truth. Joining John Pienaar on the programme today are the Conservative party chairman James Cleverl

London Bridge: The Blame Game begins

Dec 1st, 2019 52m 44s

Following the terror attack on London Bridge, Deputy Political Editor John Pienaar asks the Security Minister Brandon Lewis if different sentencing could have really stopped the perpetrator. Also joining John are Jo Swinson, the Liberal Democra

Election 2019: Every 1's a Winner

Nov 24th, 2019 58m 6s

When it comes to the parties’ manifesto pledges, is everyone a winner? John Pienaar asks Chancellor Sajid Javid, ahead of the Conservative manifesto launch later today, and Labour’s Employment Rights Secretary Laura Pidcock. John also hears fro

Election 2019: Policies, Pacts and Peerages

Nov 17th, 2019 55m 43s

Twenty-five days to go until the General Election, Deputy Political Editor John Pienaar chats policies, pacts and peerages with the Unite Union’s leader Len McCluskey, the Government’s Security Minister Brandon Lewis, Christine Jardine of the L

Election 2019: Do the numbers add up?

Nov 10th, 2019 55m 27s

Deputy Political Editor John Pienaar quizzes Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary, and Labour's Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth on whether their funding plans – and their claims about their opponents’ plans – add up. We also hear fro

Supermarket Sweep of Policy Promises

Nov 3rd, 2019 57m 8s

Paul Scully, the Conservative Party Deputy Chairman, speaks to John Pienaar about his party’s spending pledges, position on No Deal, and what the Brexit Party could mean for them. Labour’s Shadow Business Secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey also joi

Who Blinks First?

Oct 27th, 2019 50m 8s

International Trade Secretary, Liz Truss, tells John Pienaar she believes those in parliament wanting to take No Deal off the table before backing a General Election are being disingenuous. But John McDonnell, Labour’s Shadow Chancellor, says t

Another deal, another delay?

Oct 21st, 2019 50m 40s

Michael Gove, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and the Government’s man in charge of Brexit preparations tells John Pienaar he believes the UK can and will leave the EU on October 31. We also hear from Labour’s Shadow Brexit Minister Jenny

Within touching distance of a deal?

Oct 13th, 2019 55m 31s

John Pienaar speaks to the Leader of the Commons, Jacob Rees Mogg, about the Brexit negotiations, the prospects of the government agreeing a deal with the EU and of getting a deal approved in Parliament. Meanwhile, the SNP’s annual conference i

Boris Brexit deal on the books?

Oct 6th, 2019 55m 51s

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick strikes an optimistic tone on the government’s chances of getting a Brexit deal.

29/09/2019

Sep 29th, 2019 49m 20s

John Pienaar is at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester with news and interviews from key political figures. Get the podcast from the BBC Sounds app.