Political Currency

Could the midterms be bad news for Burnham?

2026-11-05

The midterms were an enormous rejection of Donald Trump’s Republicans – but what are the lessons to be learned, in the US and closer to home? Ed Balls and George Osborne unpack the implications of the ‘blue tsunami’, asking whether analysis that pins it entirely on the cost of living and Iran are too narrow. They also question whether they represent an opportunity or a threat for Andy Burnham.

A week on from the budget, the Treasury can breathe a sigh of relief after a lack of major backlash, but when does the prime minister have to start making unpopular decisions? And is he opening a Pandora’s box with Europe?

Over in the Caribbean, King Charles has expressed sorrow for the transatlantic slave trade but has stopped short of a full apology. Ed and George discuss the history of formal state apologies, and why Commonwealth nations may be demanding one now.

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Credits:

Production: Sam Burton

Producer: Jarek Zaba

Video Editor: Louis Norris & Sam Gruet

Executive Producer: Henrietta Harrison

Political Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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

No. of episodes

332

Latest episode

2026-11-05

Where can you listen?

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 [email protected]

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Political Currency is a Persephonica production.

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