US President Donald Trump has pledged to “plant the stars and stripes on the planet Mars”, China could send its first crewed mission to Mars within a decade, and Elon Musk wants people to actually settle on Mars, transforming the human race into an interplanetary species.

In a new series of Tech Tonic, the FT’s Peggy Hollinger asks if we’re really about to land, and even live, on the red planet.

Free to read:

Musk’s mission to Mars

Three days with America’s rocket chasers

Tech Tonic is produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval. The senior producer is Edwin Lane. Flo Phillips is the executive producer. Sound design by Breen Turner and Samantha Giovinco. Original music by Metaphor Music. Manuela Saragosa is the FT’s acting co-head of audio.

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

This week, the Political Fix team comes to you from Liverpool — with all the news from the annual Labour Party Conference. Sir Keir Starmer struck a patriotic tone to the Labour faithful, promising to fight Nigel Farage’s “politics of grievance” and build a renewed, healthy Britain “with the flag waving in our hands” — flags he was keen to reclaim from his opponents on the nationalist right.

And that confident tone had also been struck by his chancellor, the day before. Rachel Reeves reaffirmed the need for economic responsibility and a willingness to take tough decisions, whilst taking pot-shots at the mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, in the wake of his thinly veiled bid for the Labour leadership last week.

The prime minister arrived in Liverpool with widespread discontent over his leadership, speculation that he could face a challenge and a calamitous -54 poll approval rating. So did Starmer do enough to salvage his floundering premiership?

Host George Parker is joined by Jim Pickard, Anna Gross and Stephen Bush to unpack what the annual conference might mean for the future of the Labour party — and the nation.

Follow George on Bluesky @georgewparker.bsky.social; Stephen @stephenkb.bsky.social; Jim @pickardje.bsky.social and Anna on X @AnnaSophieGross

What did you think of this episode? Let us know at politicalfix@ft.com

Want more? Free links:

Starmer urges Labour to launch ‘patriotic’ fight against Reform

Rachel Reeves signals Budget tax rises, saying ‘world has changed’

Reeves will struggle to sell growth case to UK fiscal watchdog, economists warn

Labour’s unpopularity problem

‘Lost the plot’: Tony Blair’s role prompts incredulity —– and some hope

Sign up to Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek. Get 30 days free at https://www.ft.com/InsidePoliticsOffer

Presented by George Parker, and produced by Lulu Smyth. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Manuela Saragosa.

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

As the prime minister prepares for his annual party conference, the mayor for Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, seems to be mounting a thinly veiled bid for the Labour leadership. In numerous interviews given to the media this past week, Burnham said he had been privately urged by MPs to challenge Sir Keir Starmer. And the provocation came with what looked like a personal manifesto: tax increases on the wealthy, mass nationalisations and a promise not to be “in hock to the bond market”. So do Burnham’s economic policies stand up? Does the metro mayor pose a serious risk to the PM? Or does his pitch for the leadership actually help Starmer shore up support from within?

Host George Parker is joined by Miranda Green, Stephen Bush, and the FT’s northern correspondent Jennifer Williams, to discuss the multiple challenges Starmer is facing both inside and outside the Labour tent, as well as what else to look out for at the conference next week.

Follow George on Bluesky @georgewparker.bsky.social; Stephen @stephenkb.bsky.social; Miranda @greenmirandahere.bsky.social; Jen @jenwilliamsft.bsky.social

What did you think of this episode? Let us know at politicalfix@ft.com

Want more? Free links:

Andy Burnham launches thinly veiled bid to replace Keir Starmer

Andy Burnham’s borrowing plans would spook gilt market, investors warn

Starmer can’t afford to wait for reckless Reform to implode

Andy Burnham’s two-horse act faces a big jump

Plans for high-speed rail line in northern England suffer fresh delay

Sign up to Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek. Get 30 days free at https://www.ft.com/InsidePoliticsOffer

If you want to know more about what's happening in UK politics you can read the FT’s live Q&A - where Stephen, Miranda and the FT’s UK chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley answered readers’ questions. Visit www.ft.com/ask-an-expert

Presented by George Parker, and produced by Lulu Smyth. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Manuela Saragosa.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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