FT News Briefing

With a week to go until Makerfield heads to the polls in what may turn out to be the most consequential by-election in British history, host Lucy Fisher, northern England correspondent Jen Williams and deputy political editor Jim Pickard are on the ground hearing from voters in the seat. Polls and bookmakers confidently predict an Andy Burnham victory but they discuss whether that narrative is too neat and what issues are really shaping voters’ choices. The result could determine not just who represents Makerfield, but also the future of the country if Burnham wins and successfully challenges Sir Keir Starmer for the premiership. Plus, they weigh up the shock resignation of defence secretary John Healey who has blasted Starmer’s government for being “unwilling” to commit sufficient resources to protecting the country.

Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher or @lucyfisher.ft.com; Jen @JenWilliams_FT or @jenwilliamsft.bskyb.social; Jim on @PickardJE or @pickardje.bskyb.social

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John Healey: the ex-trade unionist who privately battled the Treasury
Andy Burnham rules out cash for Waspi women after Labour backlash
‘Pure racism’: East Belfast reels from riots led by masked young men
Keir Starmer weakened by John Healey’s scathing resignation
The joke that deepened Keir Starmer and Andy Burnham’s toxic rift

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Political Fix was presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Persis Love and Nisha Patel. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and sound engineering by Breen Turner. The FT’s global head of audio is Flo Phillips.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
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SpaceX has raised $75bn in a record-breaking initial public offering, and the European Central Bank became the first central bank in the G7 to increase borrowing costs in response to the Middle East energy shock. Plus, the World Cup could have a lot of empty seats.

Mentioned in this podcast:
Elon Musk’s SpaceX raises $75bn in world’s biggest IPO
ECB raises interest rates for first time since 2023
Fifa faces empty seats as 180,000 World Cup tickets hit resale market
Credit: New York City Mayor’s Office, European Central Bank

Want to get in touch? Email us at podcasts@ft.com
Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts

The FT News Briefing is produced by Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, Katya Kumkova, and Fiona Symon. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello and David da Silva. Our intern is Cole van Miltenburg. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Flo Phillips is the FT’s global head of audio. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

France and Germany are discussing proposals for a radical overhaul of the EU’s 15-year-old diplomatic service, and the most recent US inflation report is putting pressure on President Donald Trump to extend the ceasefire with Iran. Plus, can Australia fix its housing crisis?

Mentioned in this podcast:
EU countries weigh ‘tearing apart’ bloc’s diplomatic service
US and Iran exchange strikes after downing of American helicopter
Donald Trump suggests he may not renew trade deal with Mexico and Canada
Australia tries to fix its housing crisis. Will it work?

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Want to get in touch? Email us at podcasts@ft.com

Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts

The FT News Briefing is produced by Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, Katya Kumkova, and Fiona Symon. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello and David da Silva. Our intern is Cole van Miltenburg. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Flo Phillips is the FT’s global head of audio. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The US has launched new strikes on Iran, Ireland’s burning through its corporate tax bonanza, and the European Central Bank is trying to rein in fintech Revolut’s “self-guided missiles” in the region. Plus, the FT’s George Hammond breaks down whether public market investors believe Elon Musk’s SpaceX can reach its ambitious goals ahead of its initial public offering.

Mentioned in this podcast:
Ireland told to rein in spending of corporate tax windfall
ECB moved to rein in Revolut’s ‘self-guided missiles’ in Europe
SpaceX’s $1.78tn IPO asks investors to buy Musk’s moonshots

Want to get in touch? Email us at podcasts@ft.com

Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts

The FT News Briefing is produced by Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, Katya Kumkova, and Fiona Symon. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello and David da Silva. Our intern is Cole van Miltenburg. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Flo Phillips is the FT’s global head of audio. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

OpenAI filed to go public, Wall Street stocks rebounded on Monday, and top BP investors and former executives are concerned the UK oil major may lose momentum in its restructuring plan. Plus, Israel’s strikes on Lebanon are putting the US between a rock and a hard place.

Mentioned in this podcast:
OpenAI files to go public in blockbuster listing
Wall Street stocks rebound after AI-led rout
BP investors push for clarity over ousting of chair
Israel attacks Beirut days after Trump’s showdown with Netanyahu
Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu replay 1982 Beirut stand-off
Sam Bankman-Fried seeks Trump pardon
Unhedged podcast

Want to get in touch? Email us at podcasts@ft.com

Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts

The FT News Briefing is produced by Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed, Katya Kumkova, and Fiona Symon. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello and David da Silva. Our intern is Cole van Miltenburg. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Flo Phillips is the FT’s global head of audio. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.