Guardian Politics Weekly

On the road in south Wales: why is Reform UK on the rise?

Loading player...
This week, Politics Weekly UK is on the road in south-east Wales, hearing from those in traditional Labour heartlands. But with people increasingly frustrated that public services are crumbling and that nothing seems to change, Nigel Farage’s party fancies its chances at next year’s Senedd elections. John Harris asks why Reform UK is on the rise in Wales and what it tells us about the future of British politics. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod
26 Feb 2025 English United Kingdom News

Other recent episodes

Off Duty: The Crime

On the evening of 29 December 2011, Officer Clifton Lewis was moonlighting as a security guard at a Chicago minimart when two men walked in. They shot Lewis several times, then took off with his gun and police star. A week later, police had their suspects: four men affiliated with…
21 Mar 26 min

Do the Conservatives have a problem with Muslims?

At the launch of the Conservative local elections campaign on Thursday, Peter Walker asked Kemi Badenoch about her shadow justice secretary’s claim that Muslims praying in Trafalgar square was an ‘act of domination’. Her answer did not clarify the party’s position. Peter discusses with Lexy Topping the problems this kind…
19 Mar 23 min

Can Starmer avoid being drawn into the US-Iran war?

The PM says the UK will not be dragged into wider war in the Middle East and pledges support for households struggling to pay for heating oil. Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey talk about what the government is doing to support people during the cost of living crisis and the…
16 Mar 25 min

How damaging are the Mandelson files for Starmer?

As the first tranche of documents relating to the hiring of Peter Mandelson are released, how bad will the fallout be for Keir Starmer and the government? Pippa Crerar is joined by Peter Walker to discuss. Plus, the fuel duty row that Rachel Reeves thought she could avoid. Help support…
12 Mar 25 min

Is the UK government prepared for oil price hikes?

Oil prices have already shot up thanks to the US-Israeli war in Iran. But what is the economic fallout likely to be? Will interest rates rise? What about inflation? Could the cost of borrowing increase – and by how much? Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss how the cost of…
9 Mar 23 min
All episodes