All Out Politics

In the final episode of the All Out Politics podcast, Adam Boulton and guests review the political year of 2021.It was a 12 months dominated once again by the coronavirus pandemic but punctuated by Brexit, allegations of sleaze and questions about leadership.Joining Adam are The Times columnist and former Conservative MP Matthew Parris, The New Statesman's deputy online editor Rach

Adam Boulton and guests assess a stunning by-election defeat for the Conservatives in North Shropshire as the Liberal Democrats overturn a 23 thousand majority - with a 24% swing - and pile more pressure on Boris Johnson.They examine the impact of that result and what it means for the Prime Minister's leadership after a series of stories about sleaze and Downing Street parties.The

Is it one rule for them and another for us? Adam Boulton and guests assess an uncomfortable week for the Prime Minister after claims of a Christmas Party in 10 Downing Street last year - at the same time as the country was living with Covid restrictions.There followed a series of denials that a party took place before video footage emerged showing Downing Street officials joking ab

Adam Boulton and guests look at the state of the parties after this week's Old Bexley and Sidcup by-election in which the Conservatives held the seat with a reduced majority. The panel assess the impact of the Reform Party - which finished third - and speculate on when there could be another general election.They also reflect on the latest attempt by Sir Keir Starmer to get Labour

Adam Boulton and guests discuss the issue at the top of the political agenda - the distressing news of the deaths of 27 people who drowned in the English Channel trying to reach the UK.They also asses the Prime Minister's fortunes as Boris Johnson attempts to get back on the front foot after the sleaze row, the HS2 controversy, the rebellion on social care plans, a somewhat bungled

Adam Boulton and guests discuss the government's levelling up agenda through the prism of changes to the HS2 and Northern Powerhouse rail projects.They also analyse the ongoing sleaze row which isn't going away despite the Prime Minister's attempts to close it down with a move to clean up the system.Joining Adam on the this week's podcast are the former Chair of the National Infras

Adam Boulton and guests discuss the sleaze allegations circling UK politics.The controversy has focused on Conservative MPs with second jobs, Sir Geoffrey Cox carrying out paid external work from his House of Commons office and the issue of lobbying following the Owen Paterson row.Should MPs have second jobs and how should the Conservatives respond to the claims?Joining Adam this w

Adam Boulton and guests analyse the good, the bad and the bubbly from this week's Budget statement by Rishi Sunak.Big spending commitments in line with Brown and Blair rather than Osborne and Cameron - and big tax rises to boot, with the tax burden now at a level not seen since 1949.A big boost for workers on Universal Credit and a business rate discount for shops, restaurants and

Adam Boulton and guests discuss two types of risk this week. The risk to the public from Covid as ministers rule out introducing a Plan B to tackle rising cases of the virus - a decision which seems at odds with the advice from from the British Medical Association and the NHS Confederation. And the panel assess the risk to MPs and their safety as they remember Sir David Amess MP wh

Brexit is back on the agenda this week as Adam Boulton and guests discuss the thorny issue of Northern Ireland protocol.Negotiations have resumed between the UK and the European Union over the implementation of the protocol with the EU offering concessions on checks.But the role of the European Court of Justice appears the major sticking point so what next?Joining Adam this week ar