EMQs: How much power do chancellors have?

How many times did Gordon Brown save Tony Blair from a calamitous decision? Ed Balls and George Osborne recount the times chancellors stepped in to save their PM from disaster. Does George wish he'd done it a bit more with David Cameron?And why does the Opposition leader respond to the budget and not the shadow chancellor? Ed and George try to work it out, but are not quite sure themselves - please write in! They also delve into the minimum wage rise from the budget, and signal pressing issues Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves must tackle down the line.Finally, the pair share their dream jobs - other than Prime Minister, of course - with Ed’s being a suitably political answer and George’s being typically wide-ranging from his previous roles.We love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to send all your EMQs to questions@politicalcurrency and make sure to include a voice note of your question. Thanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad-free join Political Currency Gold. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:👉 patreon.com/politicalcurrency👉 Apple PodcastsPlease note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.Credits:Research: Sam BurtonProduction: Caillin McDaid and Paige ReynoldsVideo Editor: Maha Al-BadrawiExecutive Producer: Ellie CliffordPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does Rachel Reeves have a credible plan for growth? One day on from her Budget Statement, George Osborne and Ed Balls debate her headline measures and ask if she’s built enough of a narrative to save her job. Health Secretary Wes Streeting asks about two Osbornian policies: the sugar tax and two-child limit. How can Labour win the argument?They also talk about the disastrous OBR leak, whether anyone will be sacked, and ask how it stacks up to some of the biggest leaks in budget history… Is it worse than Ken Clarke in 1996? Or the Evening Standard beating George to the punch in 2013?Finally, they briefly turn to the war in Ukraine and debate the peace negotiations. The big question now is whether Putin has been strong-armed into signing a peace treaty, and if that means a lasting cease-fire is in sight.Thanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad- free join Political Currency Gold or our Kitchen Cabinet. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:👉 patreon.com/politicalcurrency 👉 Apple PodcastsPlease note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.Credits:Research: Sam BurtonProduction: Caillin McDaid and Paige ReynoldsVideo Editor: Maha Al-BadrawiExecutive Producer: Ellie CliffordPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After months of speculation, briefings and leaks, Rachel Reeves has finally delivered her fated second budget. Has she done enough to save herself, Keir Starmer, and the Labour government?In a special YouTube LIVE episode, Ed Balls and George Osborne give their immediate reaction to the Chancellor's budget. They dive into who the budget was for, the overtly political tone, and whether Reeves stood by her manifesto pledges.Thanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad-free join Political Currency Gold. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:👉 patreon.com/politicalcurrency👉 Apple PodcastsPlease note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon!Credits:Researcher: Sam BurtonAssistant Producer: Caillin McDaidVideo Editor: Oliver Geraghty Executive Producer: Ellie CliffordPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With politics fraying and radical parties growing in strength, could the Tories and Labour come together and merge into a grand coalition of the centre? Surely George Osborne and Ed Balls have proven on this podcast that great things can happen when the two parties come together… And, as budget week looms, former Treasury civil servant Jill Rutter asks how Ed and George would get themselves out of the hole Rachel Reeves is in IF there were no political repercussions? And they wonder whether we are still feeling the effects of the mini-budget or if it’s unfair for Rachel Reeves to continue blaming Liz Truss for the economic woes? Plus, they explain why too much preparation ahead of a great speech can actually be a bad thing. ~Do you want the opportunity to own a piece of British political history? In memory of the brilliant civil servant Chris Martin, a magnificent Jeroboam of Pol Roger, Winston Churchill's favourite champagne bearing the signatures of all nine living British Prime Ministers is being auctioned to raise money for Sarcoma UK. Place your bid here: https://astarauction.com/Chrismartinquiz The link will remain open until 10:30pm on the 27th November.~Thanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad-free join Political Currency Gold. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:👉 patreon.com/politicalcurrency👉 Apple PodcastsCredits:Assistant Producer: Caillin McDaidSenior Producer: Silvia MarescaVideo Editor: Maha Al-BadrawiExecutive Producer: Ellie CliffordPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A dramatic U-turn from Labour has stopped them from breaking their manifesto, but it has also left the Budget looking messy and wide open to risk. The expected income tax rise has been shelved in favour of what some insiders call a “smorgasbord” of smaller taxes. In this episode of Political Currency, Ed Balls and George Osborne dig into whether this was a rushed scramble or a smart political play. - and the extent to which it has knocked Rachel Reeves off the story she had been shaping in the run up to Budget week.Away from the Budget noise, all eyes turned to Shabana Mahmood and her sweeping overhaul of the asylum and refugee system. The announcement has split Labour supporters. Is this the arrival of what some are already calling "Mahmoodism"? And will these measures work in practice, or just push parts of the left toward the Greens or the Lib Dems?Finally, George and Ed look from Tehran to California, where George’s former colleague Steve Hilton is suddenly leading the race for governor. Can his Trump style rhetoric, polished social media - and even the promise to control the weather - deliver an upset in a solidly Democrat state?You can access the link to the Chris Martin auction here: https://astarauction.com/Chrismartinquiz The link will remain open until 10:30pm on the 27th November.Thanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad-free join Political Currency Gold. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:👉 patreon.com/politicalcurrency👉 Apple PodcastsPlease note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.Credits:Assistant Producer: Caillin McDaidSenior Producer: Silvia MarescaVideo Editor: Maha Al-BadrawiExecutive Producer: Ellie CliffordPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is the real purpose of Prime Minister's Questions? As an ‘infuriated’ listener asks why the Speaker can't force politicians to answer, George Osborne breaks down why PMQs is ‘political theatre’ and what most people misunderstand about it, while Ed Balls explains why David Lammy’s recent performance revealed the real procedural power the Speaker holds.Then, prompted by a question from Shadow Cabinet minister Victoria Atkins, the pair break down when cross-party support actually works, and when it’s just a ‘bear trap’ for the opposition.And, reporting from the COP summit in Brazil, the hosts of the Outrage & Optimism podcast ask why the UK failed to put money into the 'Tropical Forests Forever' facility, leading Ed and George to discuss the 'crumbled' political consensus on foreign aid.Finally, the pair delve into the reality of rejoining the EU. Could the UK get the same deal as before? And what's the real obstacle to rejoining - could it be the Euro, the non-negotiable issue of free movement, or something else altogether?Thanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad-free join Political Currency Gold. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:👉 patreon.com/politicalcurrency👉 Apple PodcastsPlease note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.Credits:Assistant Producer: Caillin McDaidSenior Producer: Silvia MarescaVideo Editor: Maha Al-BadrawiExecutive Producer: Ellie CliffordPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A bizarre briefing war has exploded in Westminster, with Wes Streeting accused of plotting a coup against Keir Starmer. Ed Balls and George Osborne analyse the ‘toxic culture’ in Number 10: who was really behind the briefing, and has this ‘self-destructive’ move inadvertently strengthened Streeting while fatally weakening the Prime Minister?Meanwhile, the BBC is in turmoil, with its Director General and Head of News resigning over the Donald Trump Panorama controversy. With George himself now tipped for the top job, the pair unpack the corporate governance collapse. And, can Donald Trump really win his $1 billion lawsuit against the British broadcaster?Finally, Ed and George turn to Donald Trump snubbing the G20 over his claims of a "genocide" in South Africa. They explore the deepening divisions in the MAGA movement over controversial figures like Nick Fuentes, and ask if this identity politics of the "woke right" is a brand that Nigel Farage is about to import to the UK.Thanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad-free join Political Currency Gold. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:👉 patreon.com/politicalcurrency👉 Apple PodcastsPlease note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.Credits:Assistant Producer: Caillin McDaidSenior Producer: Silvia MarescaVideo Editor: Maha AlbadrawiExecutive Producer: Ellie CliffordPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What political rival would you share a 12-hour flight with? Ed Balls and George Osborne dive into this very question, revealing the old foes and opposite numbers who would make the best long-haul companions.And can an unpopular leader tank a popular policy? The pair debate how a leader’s image affects a government, and whether an unpopular messenger will derail a popular message no matter what. They also examine the meaning of 'fairness' in politics, and whether Labour or the Tories can truly lay claim to the term.Finally, Ed’s new title as a "Lifelong Learning Ambassador" sparks a discussion on the 'Cinderella service' of adult skills and why no government can seem to get it right.Thanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad-free join Political Currency Gold. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:👉 patreon.com/politicalcurrency👉 Apple PodcastsPlease note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.Credits:Assistant Producer: Caillin McDaidSenior Producer: Silvia MarescaVideo Editor: Maha Al-BadrawiExecutive Producer: Ellie CliffordPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rachel Reeves has set the stage for a dramatic Budget, seemingly signaling a "massive political gamble" by preparing to raise taxes on working people. Ed Balls and George Osborne analyse her pitch-rolling: has she boxed herself in, becoming the market's "guarantor" against her own party? And can she possibly sell this to an already-squeezed public?Meanwhile, Kemi Badenoch marks one year as Conservative leader - but, despite her sharp "waffle bomb" attack on the Chancellor, her poll ratings remain dire. Ed and George assess her performance: has she successfully stabilised the party's finances, or did she waste a year on identity politics instead of the economy? Plus, the pair explore why even Nigel Farage is suddenly pivoting away from tax cuts.And, what can a "Democratic Socialist" mayor in New York teach UK politics? Ed and George debate the real lessons from Zoran Mandani's shock victory - is it about left-wing policy, or a masterclass in new communication and building the broad coalitions that Starmer, Badenoch, and Farage all need?Thanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad-free join Political Currency Gold. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:👉 patreon.com/politicalcurrency👉 Apple PodcastsPlease note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.Credits:Assistant Producer: Caillin McDaidSenior Producer: Silvia MarescaVideo Editor: Maha AlbadrawiExecutive Producer: Ellie CliffordPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why won't Labour make rejoining the EU its new "silver bullet" against Nigel Farage? A listener challenges Ed Balls and George Osborne on tackling the "political third rail" of Brexit. Ed argues the EU wouldn't even want the UK back on its old terms - likely forcing the Euro and Schengen - while George predicts Britain will inevitably "creep back" towards the Single Market.Then, a direct question from the Gates Foundation confronts the former Chancellors on the 40% cut to foreign aid. George, the Chancellor who delivered the 0.7% target, blasts the "remarkably silent" and "compliant" aid community, delivering a stark warning to "get louder" or face even more cuts.Plus, with Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman stepping down, could Ed and George be the new hosts of Strictly Come Dancing? The pair reveal how unscripted the podcast really is, George shares his favorite TikTok restaurant reviewer, and Ed reacts to his "hot phase" going viral on social media…Thanks for listening. To get episodes early and ad-free join Political Currency Gold. If you want even more perks including our exclusive newsletter, join our Kitchen Cabinet today:👉 patreon.com/politicalcurrency👉 Apple PodcastsPlease note: Kitchen Cabinet is only available via Patreon.Credits:Assistant Producer: Caillin McDaidSenior Producer: Silvia MarescaVideo Editor: Maha Al-BadrawiExecutive Producer: Ellie CliffordPolitical Currency is a Persephonica Production and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.