A Mucky Business with Tim Farron

Democrats have taken back both the House and the Senate in the US midterms, and a number of the winners were open about their Christian faith. This week, Tim asks what the results say about America, and about faith in politics. Tim is joined by Michael Wear, chief executive of the Centre for Christianity and Public Life and a former faith adviser to President Obama, who returns to the show. Michael looks at what drove the result, from the war in Iran and rising prices to Donald Trump's immigration policy, and asks whether the Democrats will listen to the faith-forward candidates who helped them win. They also talk about how white evangelicals and Catholics voted, why it's wrong to equate a political party with the will of God, and how to tell whether politicians are sincere when they talk about faith. Plus, in this week's Mucky Question, Tim asks how we can say "never again" when wars continue to rage, and he answers a question from Jane in London: should the church be braver about speaking out against the government? If you haven't sent yours in yet, email it to [email protected]. And if you'd like to support the team behind the podcast, you can do so at stewardship.org.uk/partners/AMB.

In the final episode of our series on Burnhamism, Tim asks what Andy Burnham's first Budget really tells us, and whether Burnhamism is a genuine political idea or just good communication. Tim is joined by Adrian Pabst, honorary professor of politics at the University of Kent and deputy director for public policy at the National Institute of Economic and Social Research. Adrian talks about how his Christian faith shapes the way he thinks about economics, and whether a quiet Budget is a sign of stability or just the can being kicked down the road. They also look at whether an early election is on the cards, why devolution may have been the most important story that got overlooked, and what the government should do to help young people into work with dignity. Plus, Tim reflects on the US midterm elections and why we should pay attention to them, and answers one of YOUR questions. If you haven't sent yours in yet, email it to [email protected]. This is the fourth and final episode in our series on Burnhamism. Catch up on the others: Episode 1: Journalist and author Rob Hutton joins Tim to look back at Burnham's Labour conference speech and some of its key proposals. Episode 2: Sir Steve Webb, the former pensions minister, explains the triple lock and asks whether Burnham's plan can really pay for better social care. Episode 3: Paul O'Kane, director of Christians on the Left, joins Tim on Burnham's first 100 days in Number 10. If you'd like to support the team making this podcast, you can do so at stewardship.org.uk/partners/AMB.

It's 100 days since Andy Burnham became Prime Minister, and this week Tim asks how much of it has been substance and how much has been noise. Tim is joined by Paul O'Kane, the new director of Christians on the Left and former Member of the Scottish Parliament, who was in Downing Street the day Burnham arrived. They take stock of the first 100 days and look ahead to tomorrow's Budget. Plus, Tim reflects on the government's new "Be Ready" campaign, which urges households to prepare for emergencies, and answers one of YOUR questions. If you haven't sent yours in yet, email it to [email protected]. This is the third episode in our series on Burnhamism. Catch up on the others: Episode 1: Journalist and author Rob Hutton joins Tim to look back at Burnham's Labour conference speech and some of its key proposals. Episode 2: Sir Steve Webb, the former pensions minister, explains the triple lock and asks whether Burnham's plan can really pay for better social care.

This week, Tim continues his mini-series on Burnhamism by looking at one of the biggest promises in Andy Burnham’s conference speech: replacing the pensions triple lock with a “double lock” to help pay for a National Care Service. To make sense of it, Tim is joined by Sir Steve Webb, the former Lib Dem pensions minister who introduced the triple lock in government and now advises on pensions at LCP. They ask whether Burnham’s plan can really pay for better social care, and Steve shares an idea from LCP for funding it: a 1p income tax contribution with an opt-out. Steve also reflects on how his Christian faith shaped his time in politics. Plus, Tim asks whether we can afford the society we’ve created. And, of course, Tim answers one of YOUR questions. If you haven’t sent yours in yet, email it to [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]).

This week, Tim kicks off a brand-new mini-series on Burnhamism: the ideas and policies behind Andy Burnham's speech at the Labour Conference. Over the coming weeks, Tim will be unpacking some of those announcements, looking at what they could mean in practice and how achievable they really are. To get things started, Tim is joined by journalist and author Rob Hutton, who spent years covering British politics for Bloomberg and now writes the parliamentary sketch for The Critic. They look back at the conference and take a closer look at some of Burnham's key proposals. Plus, Tim reflects on Brexit. With Burnham saying a future referendum on re-joining the EU is "possible," it's creeping back into the headlines, but can Christians keep the peace this time around? And, of course, Tim answers one of YOUR questions. If you haven't sent yours in yet, email it to [email protected].

The end of party conference season is here, and that means it's time for our final episode looking at the big stories coming out of it! This week, Tim is joined by Conservative MP Rebecca Smith, who returns to the show for the second time since becoming an MP in 2024. They look back at her first two years in Parliament, what she's learned along the way, and what she thinks the future holds for the Conservative Party in British politics. Tim also reflects on harvest and asks whether we really do enough to give thanks for our food and for the people who produce it. And there's an invitation from Tim to an event at his church! You can book your place at cho.parrstchurch.org. As always, Tim also answers one of your questions. If you haven't sent yours in yet, make sure you do - email your question to [[email protected]] And if you'd like to support the team behind the podcast, you can do so at stewardship.org.uk/partners/AMB.

It’s Labour’s turn for party conference, and one speech is dominating the conversation: Andy Burnham’s. Tim is joined by former Loughborough MP Andy Reed, who worked alongside Burnham during his early days in Parliament, to unpack the speech, the policies Burnham announced, and what they might mean for Labour. Andy also reflects on life after politics - and what comes next when Westminster is no longer your day job. Plus, Tim turns his attention to AI, asking what it means for Christians - and whether we can, or should, engage with it. And, as always, Tim answers one of your questions. So if you haven't sent yours in already, make sure you do! Email your question to [email protected]. If you'd like to support the team making this podcast, you can do so at stewardship.org.uk/partners/AMB.

We're continuing our conference season, and this time it's the Lib Dems' turn. Tim is joined by Munira Wilson, the party's education spokesperson and MP for Twickenham. They discuss the rise of Reform, the donations row that overshadowed Reform's own conference, and whether the Lib Dems still have a place in British politics. She also shares whether her faith makes her everyday job easier or harder. Plus, Tim reflects on this week's Mucky Question: when does patriotism become idolatry? And, as always, Tim answers one of your questions. So if you haven't sent yours in already, make sure you do! Email your question to [email protected]. If you'd like to support the team making this podcast, you can do so at stewardship.org.uk/partners/AMB.

This week, Tim's kicking off the conference series - over the next four episodes, he's sitting down with a member of each party having their conference this season. First up: Reform UK, whose three-day party conference has already been and gone. Tim catches up with Derbyshire Councillor Stephen Reed to talk about his faith journey, the donations row that overshadowed the event, and why he reckons he's defending Christian values. And of course, this week's Mucky Question is all about assisted dying - what happens next? Plus, as always, Tim answers one of your questions. So if you haven't sent yours in already, make sure you do! Email your question to [email protected]. If you’d like to support the team making this podcast, you can do so at stewardship.org.uk/partners/AMB.

Following the defeat of the Assisted Dying Bill in Parliament, Tim chats with Labour MP for Carlisle, Julie Minns. Julie delivered one of the most emotional and powerful speeches during the debate, and she joins Tim to talk more about her decision to oppose the bill and why she believes assisted dying is the wrong path for our society. Do you have a question for Tim? Send it to [email protected] and he may answer it in a future episode. If you’d like to support the team making this podcast, you can do so at stewardship.org.uk/partners/AMB.