The Week Unwrapped:US-UK drug deal could result in 229,000 excess deaths in England, analysis suggestsA pharmaceutical trade deal between the UK and the US could lead to more than 200,000 avoidable deaths over the next decade, according to new analysis by the British Medical Journal. The agreement, struck last December, removed tariffs on UK pharmaceutical exports to the US but committed the NHS to higher spending on branded medicines. This could now see around £45 billion diverted away from NHS care towards purchasing new drugs. While ministers called it a “landmark deal”, critics say it amounts to “pacifying Donald Trump and big pharma’s demand for higher medicine prices.” Zoë and Ali unpack the pressure on the UK government from Donald Trump and the impact of Brexit on the pharmaceutical market. Refugees would be told to repay around £10,000 under new asylum billAsylum seekers will be required to repay up to £10,000 towards the cost of their accommodation and support once they start earning, under new government plans. The scheme, part of a revised Immigration and Asylum Bill introduced to Parliament on Tuesday, aims to recoup the cost of housing asylum seekers in hotels, HMOs and other accommodation. But critics say it will push the immigration system in a more restrictive direction. Zoë and Ali discuss why this legislation might be considered cruel and the government’s shifting messaging towards immigration. 250 years of American Independence This Saturday marks 250 years since the United States adopted the Declaration of Independence. But celebrations of the milestone have become politically divided. Congress created the bipartisan America250 Commission in 2016 to plan the anniversary. But upon returning to office last year, President Trump launched a rival organisation, Freedom 250. This weekend, the two groups are hosting separate celebrations: a Trump-led rally in Washington, D.C., while America250 is holding a concert in Los Angeles hosted by Queen Latifah. Zoë and Ali explore the political divisions and issues that the relatively young country continues to face.Plus: Breaking news whilst we were on air: Keir Starmer has passed emergency legislation to allow pubs in England and Wales to stay open until 5am on Monday for England’s World Cup match against Mexico! Let’s hope for celebrations, not commiserations!Burnham sets out Westminster Devolution visionOn Monday, Prime Minister-in-waiting, Andy Burnham, delivered his first major policy speech since winning the Makerfield by-election. Speaking at the People’s History Museum in Manchester, the former Mayor of the city set out his plans for the country if he becomes Prime Minister. His offer to the public centres on a major transfer of power from Westminster to local communities. Other pledges include reforming utilities, reindustrialisation, and a major push to build council housing. Burnham is on course to take over from Keir Starmer in just over two weeks’ time - but do his policies hold up? Zoë and Ali give their first impressions of Burnham’s speech, what ‘Manchester-ism’ might look like in practice and how he might get people to trust in politics again.Starmer unveils Defence Investment Plan On Wednesday, outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer unveiled his long-delayed Defence Investment Plan to the public. The plan sets out the UK’s defence budget, including targets for key weapons programmes. Since the resignation of defence secretary John Healey last month, the plan has been revised and extra spending over the next four years has increased to £15 billion. However, the plan is already becoming a political headache. Critics say it still falls well short of what is required and questions still remain over how it will be funded. Mason Boycott-Owen, Politico’s UK Defence Reporter, joins us to talk through what the deal entails, why defence is an increasing priority for the UK and the so-called black hole in funding that this will leave for Andy Burnham if he becomes PM. Guest: Mason Boycott Owen, UK Defence Reporter. You can find his most recent work here and follow him on ‘X’ here.Producer: Monica Lillis

In this special edition of Politics Uncensored, we discuss why Keir Starmer resigned as Prime Minister. Plus, with Andy Burnham looking like the next person to take the role, we talk through an exclusive archive interview to get an idea of what his policies could be. The Week Unwrapped: Keir Starmer Steps Down as Prime MinisterAfter months of mounting pressure, Keir Starmer resigned as Prime Minister on Monday after just 23 months in office. Andy Burnham has now confirmed that he will stand in the Labour leadership contest following his dramatic victory in the Makerfield by-election. With support reportedly growing among Labour MPs and senior ministers, many now believe he is on course to become Britain's next Prime Minister. Ali and Zoë unpack what they made of Starmer’s resignation speech and what they think might happen next.King Charles Reveals Personal Tax BillKing Charles has become Britain’s first monarch in modern times to reveal his personal tax bill. His tax payments were shared on Thursday, showing the figures covering the 2024-25 financial year. Buckingham Palace said the move was part of a modernising drive for greater transparency. Zoë and Ali discuss how unusual this move is and how much impact this will have on public opinion of the Royal Family.Sturgeon and Gove to Team Up for Reality TV ‘War Game’This week, Sky announced a new reality television series, The War Game, which will see a host of political figures simulate a response to a Russian attack on the UK. Its main stars are ex-Conservative minister Michael Gove and former First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, who will serve as PM and Deputy PM respectively. Zoë reveals to Ali her role in the upcoming programme! The pair also unpack what they think about political reality shows. Why Did Keir Starmer Resign? We continue with the big story of the week - Keir Starmer’s resignation and what’s next for the Labour Party. John McDonnell, Labour MP for Hayes and Harlington and former Shadow Chancellor, joined Zoë and Ali to discuss where Starmer went wrong and why he had to step down.What Would an Andy Burnham Premiership Look Like?Everything is pointing to Andy Burnham becoming the next Prime Minister. On Tuesday, he held a private meeting with Keir Starmer and cabinet ministers have been calling for a swift transition. Ahead of the 2015 Labour leadership election - which Burnham ultimately lost - FUBAR spoke to him about the key issues he wanted to tackle if he became leader. We revisit this exclusive archive interview with MP John McDonnell to try and discern what Burnham’s policies could be.Guest: John McDonnell, Labour MP for Hayes and Harlington. You can find him on 'X' here.Producer: Monica Lillis

Ali hosts from Makerfield for the last time before the by-election. He’s joined by author and historian, Alex von Tunzelmann to unpack the big stories of the week.The Week Unwrapped: The US and Iran sign a ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ - Just as we thought things in the Middle East were getting boring…The US announced that a framework peace deal with Iran has been reached, bringing the 15 week conflict to a tentative end. A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed by Washington and Tehran, and both parties are set to meet in Switzerland later this week for the initial talks. Ali and Alex discuss whether the US has achieved its foreign policy goal, how Iran will fare from the deal and the reaction from Israel.Ban on Palestine Action was lawful, court of appeal rulesOn Monday, the Court of Appeal ruled that the government's proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation is lawful. Earlier this year, the High Court found the proscription was disproportionate, in a judgment that threatened to undermine hundreds of ongoing criminal prosecutions. That ruling has now been overturned, in a win for the government. Ali and Alex unpack the significance of this and what it means for the right to protest in this country.Voters head to the polls in MakerfieldAll eyes are on Makerfield as voters head to the polls after weeks of build-up for one of the biggest by-elections this country has seen. Ali and Alex look ahead to what it might mean for the Labour Party if Andy Burnham wins, and what the scenario might be if he doesn’t.Elon Musk becomes the world’s first trillionaire Entrepreneur Elon Musk is the world's first trillionaire. The milestone came over the weekend after the stock market debut of SpaceX, the company behind his rocket launches, satellite internet network and artificial intelligence business. Musk was already the richest person on the planet, but reaching a net worth of $1 trillion marks a new era of affluence. Ali and Alex discuss what this means for Musk’s power and political influence and public attitudes towards extreme wealth. Keir Starmer announces a ban on social media for under-16’sEarlier this week, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced plans for the UK to restrict social media access for under-16s. The government says the measures would go further than ‘any country in the world’ to protect children from online harms. The new rules will mean that starting from 2027, young people under-16 would be barred from a range of major platforms, including Snapchat, TikTok and Instagram. Cosima Wiltshire, Lead of Strategy and Public Affairs at FlippGen, tells us her thoughts on the ban, how young people have reacted and how the government can make social media a safer place for all. Guests:Alex von Tunzelmann, Author and Historian. You can find her on Instagram: @alexvontunzelmann Cosima Wiltshire, Lead of Strategy and Public Affairs at FlippGen. You can find her on Instagram: @cosimawiltshireProducer:  Monica Lillis  

The Week Unwrapped What’s next for the war in the Middle East?Hopes for a truce in the Middle East are fading, as the United States launched a second round of airstrikes into Iran on Thursday morning. The attacks were launched after the downing of an American helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran responded by targeting the US’s allies in the Gulf: Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan. President Donald Trump warned on Wednesday night that Tehran would “pay the price” for stalling peace negotiations. Zoë and Ali discuss what these breaches mean for peace, whether it is turning into a long-term war, and what the cost is domestically for Donald Trump.Defence Secretary John Healey resigns over military spending plansDefence Secretary John Healey has resigned from Keir Starmer’s government over military spending plans. In a letter to the PM on Thursday, he says the defence investment plan "falls well short of what is required for defence and the country at this dangerous time" and that he had no choice but to stand down. Zoë and Ali unpack why this comes as a surprise and what this significant move means for Keir Starmer’s future. One week to go until the Makerfield By-electionAli is in Makerfield again this week, so he brings us the latest from the constituency ahead of the consequential by-election. Ali also tells us about the mood locally, why he thinks it is going to be a tight race and why he is concerned about the rise of the right-wing Restore Britain.Violence breaks out in Belfast after protests over a knife attackEarlier this week, footage was widely circulated on social media of a serious knife attack in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Authorities say the suspect is a Sudanese refugee, a detail that has fuelled anti-immigration protests. Some were peaceful, but others descended into violence.Demonstrators have set fire to vehicles and buildings, largely in Belfast, with residents reporting that many of those targeted were people of colour. The unrest comes as anger over the fatal stabbing of Southampton student Henry Nowak remains raw. While the two cases are unrelated, both have sparked protests and renewed debate around immigration and asylum in the UK. Zoë and Ali unpack why this is more than an immigration issue, how this casts light on increasing racist rhetoric in the UK and the role of social media. Albania’s Flamingo Revolution: Jared Kushner’s hotel development sparks fierce backlashTo Albania now, where thousands of people have taken to the streets of the capital, Tirana, to protest a multi-billion-dollar development linked to Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of Donald Trump.Plans for a 10,000-room luxury resort complex on the former military outpost of Sazan Island, alongside a development near the neighbouring Vjosa-Narta Lagoon, a protected stretch of Albania's coastline, have sparked opposition. Albania's government is backing the investment and appears determined to push ahead. Una Hajdari, Politico Europe contributor and Balkans expert joins us to explain the political difficulty of the project, why Albanians are so angry and what this might mean for the country’s future.Guest: Una Hajdari, Politico Europe contributor and Balkans expert. You can find Una on X here. Producer: Monica Lillis

On this edition, body-cam footage of 18 year old Henry Nowak’s death in police custody has sparked division and outrage - we’ll unpack the latest. And later on we’ll find out why so many young people are out of work right now. The Week Unwrapped: Two weeks to go until the Makerfield by-election:Ali is in Makerfield again this week ahead of the consequential by-election on 18th June which could determine the future of leadership in Britain. Ali tells Zoë about the mood on the ground, what the polls are saying right now and the scrutiny that the Reform candidate, Robert Kenyon, is under.Hungary set to be the first EU country to introduce a wealth tax In April, long-term far right leader, Viktor Orban, was ousted from government and lost his 16 year grip on power. His replacement, Péter Magyar, won his campaign on the promise that he would crack down on corruption, funneling funds towards public services. And it seems he will be delivering on that promise - with his centre-right Tisza party expected to announce a wealth tax in the coming days. Zoë and Ali discuss how this originally left-wing policy has become mainstream, whether this feeling will spread across Europe and whether it will work in practice. The second set of Mandelson files are released A second set of files relating to Peter Mandelson’s time as UK ambassador to the US were released on Monday. The documents were published in an attempt to reveal what ministers know about Mandelson’s links to Epstein, but it seems we have been left with more questions than answers. Zoë and Ali unpick why this slow drip of new information will continue to make the public lose faith in the current administration. Murder of Henry Nowak sparks identity politics rowThe murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak has sent shockwaves across the UK. Last year, the Southampton student was handcuffed after killer Vickrum Digwa falsely claimed to police that Nowak had racially abused him. In reality, Digwa had stabbed Nowak five times with a blade he claimed to carry as part of his Sikh faith.Footage released this week shows Nowak pleading with officers that he'd been stabbed, one officer dismissed him. Nowak died shortly after. The case has sparked fierce political debate. Critics, including Nigel Farage and Elon Musk say the tragedy highlights two-tier policing, while Prime Minister Keir Starmer has accused Farage of "exploiting tragedy to create grievance and division". Zoë and Ali consider the importance of centering his family in the discussions, how certain figures are using this as a political tool and the Right-wing’s changing views towards the police. Why are so many young people out of work in the UK?A new report released by the government last week says that one million young people aged 16-24 in the UK are not in education, employment or training (NEET) - the highest level in more than a decade. The report’s author, Alan Milburn, outlined that career opportunities for young people are “not growing, they’re shrinking” and warned that “we are at risk of a lost generation.”  So why are so many people currently out of work? Dani Payne, Head of Education and Social Mobility at the Social Market Foundation joins us to dispel the myths of the ‘snowflake generation.’ She tells us about the factors that have led to such a high level of youth unemployment, the death of the ‘Saturday job’ and what the government can do next. Guest: Dani Payne - You can find her @danihpayne on Instagram and TikTokProducer: Monica Lillis

Ali is presenting from Makerfield today, but he’s joined by Ros Taylor, writer, journalist and podcaster to cover the top stories of the week.The Week Unwrapped:Former SNP Chief, Peter Murrell, Pleads Guilty to Embezzling Party FundsEarlier this week, the former chief executive of the Scottish National Party, Peter Murrell pleaded guilty to embezzling more than £400,000 from the party. Murrell, who is also the estranged husband of previous first minister Nicola Sturgeon, used illicit party funds to purchase luxury goods including jewellery, two cars and a motorhome. Ros and Ali discuss how the SNP have survived the scandal, whether Sturgeon deserves to be scrutinised and some of Murrell’s questionable purchases. Robert Kenyon’s Old Social Media Accounts ExposedLast week, Reform UK announced local plumber, Robert Kenyon, as their candidate in the Makerfield by-election. However, several social media accounts linked to Kenyon have come under scrutiny, after a series of historic posts resurfaced online. Some posts attributed to the account appear to express controversial views on issues including Covid vaccines and immigration as well as degrading comments about women and anti-Ukraine sentiment. Ros and Ali question whether Kenyon is right for the role, the vetting process for Reform UK and his refusal to apologise. Why does every Labour frontbencher have the same haircut?Finally, a recent article by Hannah Camilleri on her Substack ‘Soft Power’ has pointed out an interesting phenomenon in Westminster. She writes that if you cast your eye over the Labour benches at the moment, there is an exceptionally high rate of what has been nicknamed the “Labour Right Bob” From Shabana Mahmood to Rachel Reeves, it seems that plenty of the top women in the Commons all have the same short haircut. Ali and Ros unpack why that might be. Up Next: Is a Social Media Ban on the Horizon?On Tuesday, the government wrapped up a consultation on whether to impose an Australian-style social media ban for under 16s. Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, vowed to take "decisive” action to tackle the impact of social media on children in the UK. This is part of a wider debate about how the government can increase pressure on tech companies over online safety concerns, especially for young people. The Labour party is expected to announce a crackdown within weeks. Ali and Ros unpick the complex debate, what can be done and whether the legislation will actually work.Heatwaves: Should the Government be doing more?The UK has experienced a record breaking heatwave this week. The hottest ever May temperature was recorded on Tuesday in London - 35.1C. This warm weather is, however, a cause for concern. High temperatures have led to deaths, infrastructure failures as well as economic disruption. Scientists expect that heatwaves will happen more often as a result of climate change. So, is the UK doing enough to prepare itself for this shift? Issey Gladston, Climate Journalist and Communications Strategist, joins us to unpack why it’s currently so hot in Europe, the rise of conspiracy theories and why we should frame this as a national security issue. Guests: Ros Taylor - Writer, Broadcaster and Journalist. You can find her on Bluesky hereIssey Gladston - Climate Journalist and Communications strategist. You can find her on Instagram here. Producer: Monica Lillis

The Week Unwrapped:Files related to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's appointment as trade envoy in 2001 have been released - A fresh batch of files relating to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor appointment as trade envoy in 2001 has been released by the government. Earlier this year, lawmakers agreed to publish the documents after the disgraced royal was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The pages reveal that there was no formal due diligence or vetting process undertaken prior to his appointment. Ali and Martha unpack whether this new information will be damaging to Buckingham Palace, whether Andrew was qualified enough for the position and the difficulties placing Royals in political positions. UK loosens Russian oil sanctions as fuel prices rise -This week, the government has loosened strict sanctions on Russian oil as concerns over supply grow as a result of the effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Since the start of the US-Israel war in Iran, fuel prices have skyrocketed which is having a huge knock on effect on British industry. The government has expressed the need to be flexible, but in the meantime has signed a G7 statement reaffirming its "unwavering commitment" to Ukraine. Ali and Martha discuss realpolitik: will the general public care if it’s making prices cheaper or is this an immoral move? UK formally assesses bid for England to host Olympics in 2040s -The UK government is looking into a potential bid to host the Olympics and Paralympic Games in the 2040’s. Ministers have commissioned UK Sport to assess whether the competition could return to Britain, this time in the north of the country. Ali and Martha reminisce on the excitement of London 2012, and how the soft-power benefits of hosting another Games. Campaigns for the Makerfield By-Election begin: Up next, Andy Burnham has officially launched his campaign for the Makerfield by-election, paving the way for a potential challenge to Keir Starmer’s leadership. Reform UK also announced their candidate - local man, Robert Kenyon. Meanwhile, Starmer remains insistent that he isn’t going anywhere. Ali and Martha unpack why this is such a pivotal moment in British politics, what to expect in the coming weeks and what might happen if Labour don’t win.Putin’s Visit to China: This week, Xi Jinping welcomed the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, just days after the Chinese leader hosted Donald Trump in the same location. Putin touched down in Beijing on Tuesday, confident that despite the US’s touting of trade deals, there is little evidence of significant progress for Washington and Beijing. George Magnus, Research associate at China Centre, Oxford University, and SOAS and Author of ‘Red Flags: Why Xi’s China is in Jeopardy”, joined Ali to unpack Guests: Martha Gill (@Martha_Gill on X and @marthagill.bsky.social on BlueSky)George Magnus (@georgemagnus1 on X)Producer: Monica Lillis

The Week Unwrapped:US President, Donald Trump, is on a rare visit to China this week to meet with premier Xi Jinping. The summit aims to ease the fragile relationship between the two superpowers. Zoe and Ali discuss Trump’s surprising change of heart on China, the importance of Taiwan in these discussions and whether Beijing will assist Washington on Iran. Then, following on from our discussion last week: Reports confirm that Nigel Farage bought a £1.4 million property in cash shortly after he received a £5 personal gift from a Thailand based crypto billionaire. The revelation comes after The Parliamentary Standards Commissioner separately confirmed that he will be facing a formal investigation over the fact he didn’t declare the gift. The Reform UK leader says he was under “no obligation” to make it public because it was given before he was an MP. His opponents however say he should have. Zoë and Ali question the reasons why this wasn’t declared, Farage’s comments to The Sun newspaper that it was a ‘reward’ for pioneering Brexit and what the consequences might be for him. Finally, over the weekend, French President Emmanuel Macron angrily interrupted a speech at an event in Kenya, to demand silence from the audience. Macron appeared visibly upset at the level of noise in the room, and stormed onto the stage. The summit was meant to show off France’s new policy for the continent and improve relations in a shift from a dominating former colonial power to what Paris describes as an equal partnership. Zoë and Ali unpack the backlash. Threats to Keir Starmer’s Leadership:Keir Starmer is facing serious threats to his leadership. Following on from Labour’s worst ever performance in the local elections, nearly a quarter of the party’s MP’s have called for Starmer to resign. Earlier this week, Wes Streeting resigned from his position as Health Secretary saying that he has lost confidence in him. Reports say but he is expected to launch a challenge for leadership, but this is yet to happen. But waiting in the wings was Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham. Former Starmer ally, Josh Simons, has said he will step down from his seat in Makerfield, to pave the way for Burnham to be the next leader. Zoë and Ali unpack another wild week in the Commons, Westminster’s short-termism problem and where the Labour Party will go next. Eurovision - Can It Ever Be Free of Politics?Finally, the grand final of the Eurovision, now in its 70th year, is being held in Vienna on Saturday night and hundreds of millions of people will be tuning in. However, this year’s competition is shrouded in controversy. Disputes are growing over Israel’s participation and as a result, five countries, including Spain and Ireland are boycotting. Chris West, author of Eurovision!: A History of Modern Europe Through the World's Greatest Song Contest joins us to tell us the history of the politics of Eurovision, the accusations of political double standards threatening to overshadow the music, and what this year’s edition will look like. Guest: Chris West Producer: Monica Lillis

This episode went live on polling day for the local elections, here's why local politics matters.But first it's the week unwrapped with winner of Make me a Prime Minister Natalie BalmainSTORY 1: Hantavirus Outbreak, how worried should we be?Earlier this week, The World Health Organisation confirmed an outbreak of the deadly rodent-borne Hantavirus aboard a Dutch cruise ship. So far 3 of the 150 passengers have died and one British citizen has been taken into intensive care. The vessel, MV Hondus, was in transit from Argentina to the Canary Islands. The ship is expected to arrive at Granadilla on the island of Tenerife “within three days” STORY 2: Graduate jobs fall by a third as employers cut hiring Fresh figures from jobs platform Adzuna, published in The Times on Wednesday shows a 34.9 percent decline in vacancies for graduates in the year to March. Many companies are cutting back on hiring and using AI tools and technologies instead. STORY 3: Cost of a pint has reached £10 in London And finally, if you’re heading for a drink in London this weekend, prepare not to get any change from that £10 note - According to the Telegraph, a number of bars in the capital are now charging a tenner or more for a pint of beer. --Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has accepted a £5million “gift” from billionaire backer Christopher Harborne. Farage has claimed that he had “no obligation” to declare the gift, said to pay for his security. In a Telegraph interview last week, Farage revealed that in early 2024, Reform UK donor Christopher Harborne had given him the money to pay for his security.Labour and other rival parties have accused Farage of breaking parliamentary rules by not declaring the £5m gift in the register of interests for MPs - and the Conservatives have referred the Reform UK leader to the parliamentary standards commissioner.But speaking to broadcasters on Tuesday, Farage said the £5m gift was "purely private" and "wasn't political in any sense at all". "The rules are very clear," Farage said."And believe you me, we've looked at this from every legal angle, there is no obligation to declare something that is an unconditional, non-political, personal gift.--And then to wrap up the show, whilst voting was ongoing, Zoe was joined by Steve Akehurst (PRONO: Ache-hurst), Director of electoral think-tank, Persuasion UK to discuss the history, influence and importance of local elections.Why May's local elections are more important than you might think - ITV:This year's elections in the UK are much more important than you might think - and the results could have a huge impact in both the immediate aftermath and in years to come.On May 7, millions of people in England, Scotland, and Wales will elect over 5,000 politicians in elections that could produce a set of results the UK has never seen before.The Welsh and Scottish national elections could set a path for the breakup of the UK.England's council elections could decimate Labour and the Conservatives, and the results across the board could be the end of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.What's happening where? And what’s changed?In England, elections are being held for 4,851 council seats across 134 of England’s 317 council areas.The areas include big cities like London, Manchester, Birmingham and Newcastle, as well as counties including Essex, Norfolk, and Suffolk.What is happening in Scotland and Wales?In Wales, the electoral system has changed for the first time since its first devolved election in 1999.The number of Senedd seats up for grabs is increasing from 60 to 96, but the number of constituencies is decreasing from 40 to 16, and each will elect six politicians.People in Wales will now only cast one vote, rather than the two in previous elections - and ballot papers will only display party names rather than candidates.Scotland, which is electing 129 members to the Scottish parliament, is still using the Additional Member Electoral SystemThis means Scots will cast two votes - one for a candidate and another for a party.In Scotland and Wales, 16-year-olds can vote.The voting age in England will still be 18 until the government lowers it across the UK ahead of the next general election.Politicians elected in Wales and Scotland will make decisions that affect their whole country, while councillors in England only preside over their local areas.All of these elections are critical for the Labour Party and could be fatal for Starmer.Host: Zoe GrunewaldGuests: Natalie Balmain and Steven AkehurstProducers: Monica Lillis and Hugh Smiley

The Week Unwrapped: Police are treating the stabbing of two men in Golders Green, in north London as terrorism. The assaults, claimed by Iran-linked terror group Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia (HAYI) follow a series of arson attacks on Jewish targets in the capital since March. The suspect, who has been named as Essa Suleiman, has been described as hunting for anyone “visibly Jewish” to attack. Zoë and Ali discuss the rise of antisemitism in the UK, the concern around growing political violence and what the government can do beyond increased police funding. Then, new analysis shows the world’s 100 biggest oil companies made more than $30 million every hour in unearned profit in the first month of the US-Israeli war in Iran. This includes UK petroleum giant BP who saw their profits double. Ali tells us why the narrative that 'we are all in this together' when it comes to rising prices is wrong. Finally, recently elected Green Party MP, Hannah Spencer caused a stir in political circles after describing her “unease” over the smell of booze in Westminster. Fellow parliamentarians, including Nigel Farage, were quick to criticise her comments, raising questions and eyebrows around the drinking culture in parliament. Zoë and Ali unpack the risks surrounding this and whether this is a class issue.Is Labour on week footing going into next week’s local elections?The story that is still dominating the headlines is the fallout from the Mandelson scandal. This week, Keir Starmer dodged a parliamentary investigation over claims he misled parliament about the process to appoint Lord Mandelson as US ambassador. The Conservative led motion was dismissed, with MP’s voting against it 335 to 223.Downing Street deployed its full weight to force Labour MPs to block a referral to the privileges committee, however some 15 MPs defied the party whip and did not vote against the motion as instructed. Zoë and Ali unpack why Keir Starmer didn’t refer himself to the privileges committee himself if he was confident enough and ask whether this has irreparably damaged his reputation. With local elections coming up next week, we discuss how all this will impact Labour, especially with fresh forecasts that the party are set to lose 1850 seats.Then, speaking of the local elections, Labour is doing its best to squash the number of voters for The Reform Party next week. The party this week published a so-called - “uncensored” version of its election broadcast, highlighting comments made by Reform UK politicians too offensive to be aired on TV. Zoë and Ali tell us why they think this reverse psychology strategy is a strong campaign choice.King Charles’ State Visit to the US This week King Charles paid a state visit to the United States - the first trip of its kind since 2007. Ties between the US-UK have been fractured of late with President Trump openly expressing his dislike for Keir Starmer and his policies. The Royal visit comes with the hope that the special relationship can be repaired and it has seemingly gone well. Amanda Matta, Royal Commentator joined the show to explain the state of the ‘special relationship’, the Royal Family’s role in diplomacy and American perception of the King. Guest: Amanda Matta, Royal Commentator. You can find her on TikTok and Instagram @matta_of_fact Producers: Monica Lillis and Hugh Smiley