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Electoral Dysfunction

Electoral Dysfunction

By: Sky News
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About this listen

 Political powerhouses Beth Rigby, Ruth Davidson and Harriet Harman unite to unravel the spin and explain what’s really going on in Westminster and beyond.

Every episode, they will examine politicians, what they stand for and how they sell polices as UK politics enters a new era.

They will work out which politicians are coming out on top and who is having an Electoral Dysfunction – and what it all actually means for you.

WhatsApp - 07934 200444Copyright Sky News Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • What happened when I quit the government

    What happened when I quit the government
    Jul 31 2025
    Anneliese Dodds sits down with Beth Rigby for her first long-form interview since stepping down from Labour's front bench.Reflecting on the party's first year in power, the former International Development Minister and Women and Equalities Minister reveals what happened the moment she decided to resign from Sir Keir Starmer's government - and the "uncomfortable" days she spent in the run up to telling the prime minister - who was otherwise engaged... sitting in the White House with Donald Trump.

    Dodds explains how difficult her decision was - partly due to her ingrained support for the government - she was once as close as you could get to the prime minister, his shadow chancellor in Opposition. But in this podcast, she gives her assessment on Labour's economic policy and makes the argument for more taxation.

    So, how does Dodds rate Labour's first year? And how can the government "change" for the better, going into its second year?

    Remember, you can also watch us on YouTube.
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    38 mins
  • Is the government preparing for a summer of riots?

    Is the government preparing for a summer of riots?
    Jul 25 2025
    Summer is here and the government is worrying about riots on the streets. In their final episode of this political term, Beth, Ruth and Harriet unpack No 10's briefing this week that Angela Rayner has warned about the risk of civil unrest, almost a year on from the murders in Southport that sparked a summer of violent protests.

    So what is the government's strategy? And what's really going on in towns like Epping, where asylum hotels have sparked backlash this week?

    Plus, the return of Sir James Cleverley to the Tory front bench: is this the start of a Conservative revival or just more reshuffling?

    Remember, you can also watch us on YouTube.
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    41 mins
  • The '£7 billion' government secret

    The '£7 billion' government secret
    Jul 18 2025
    Who knew what about the Afghan data leak? And could anyone in parliament have done more to help scrutinise the government at the time of the superinjunction? Harriet thinks so.

    So in this episode, Beth, Ruth, and Harriet talk about the massive breach, the secret court hearings, and the constitutional chaos it’s unleashed.

    Plus - the fallout from the latest Labour rebellion. Four MPs have lost the whip - officially for repeated defiance, but unofficially? A government source called it "persistent knobheadery".

    So is Keir Starmer tightening his grip or losing control? And how does this compare to rebellions of Labour past?

    Oh and singer Chesney Hawkes gets an unexpected mention.

    Responding to claims in the podcast about whether Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle could have scrutinised the government, a Commons spokesperson said: "As has been made clear, Mr Speaker was himself under a superinjunction, and so would have been under severe legal restrictions regarding speaking about this. He would have had no awareness which organisations or individuals were and were not already aware of this matter.

    "The injunction could not constrain proceedings in parliament and between being served with the injunction in September 2023 and the 2024 General Election Mr Speaker granted four UQs on matters relating to Afghan refugees and resettlement schemes.

    "Furthermore, as set out in the Justice and Security Act 2013, the Speaker has no powers to refer matters to the Intelligence and Security Committee."


    Remember, you can also watch us on YouTube.
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    48 mins
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