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Artwork for Political Currency

Political Currency

Persephonica
Labour Party
Donald Trump
Keir Starmer
Rachel Reeves
Conservative Party
Brexit
UK Economy
NHS
Gordon Brown
David Cameron
Public Spending
Boris Johnson
Fiscal Policy
Austerity
Kemi Badenoch
Ukraine
European Union
Budget
Politics
Nigel Farage

Ed Balls and George Osborne take us behind closed doors into the rooms where decisions are made. Having battled it out across the despatch box, the former Chancellor and shadow chancellor now meet in the studio to discuss the decisions that affect the nation’s pockets. Our frenemies have the knowledge and experience to explain how good politics follows the economics - and expose how the powerful b... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes299Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
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Artwork for Political Currency

Latest Episodes

British politics has been dominated this week by the horrifying murder of student Henry Novak and the political storm that followed the release of police bodycam footage. Ed Balls and George Osborne examine the tragedy, the questions it raises around... more

Was George Osborne about to abandon David Cameron in the 2005 Tory leadership race? That’s the first question on this week’s EMQs, where George recounts the mistakes made by the David Davis campaign that allowed Cameron to ascend.  Ed Balls shares si... more

The battle for Makerfield is on, so this week Ed Balls and George Osborne dig into this consequential by-election’s frontrunners. Andy Burnham is radical in tone, but are his policies more conservative when you dig in? Reform’s Robert Kenyon has lost... more

YouTube

Following Green MP Hannah Spencer’s comments on drinking culture at Westminster, Ed Balls and George Osborne answer whether MPs should be better behaved in general during Parliamentary sessions. They make the case for heckling and jeering, comparing ... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Phil Eden
Semi-retired banker from Sheffield, question asker
Independent
Episode: EMQs: Should retired politicians go on Question Time?
Steve Hilton
Former Downing Street adviser to David Cameron, California gubernatorial candidate
Steve Hilton for Governor
Episode: Burnham, Streeting, and Rayner’s race to No. 10
Rob Kenyon
Local candidate featured in Andy Burnham video (Makerfield)
Makerfield by-election participant
Episode: Burnham, Streeting, and Rayner’s race to No. 10
Charlotte Ivers
Former political journalist, Sunday Times columnist
Sunday Times
Episode: EMQs: Is politics like snooker?
Andrew Feldman
CEO of Teneo Strategy and Communications
Teneo
Episode: EMQs: Is politics like snooker?
Rosemary Hall
Listener who asked questions about AI
Rosemary Hall
Episode: EMQs: Is politics like snooker?
Tim Sinclair
Listener who asked podcast-impact question
Gold subscriber
Episode: EMQs: Is politics like snooker?
Hannah Spencer
Green MP, new Member of Parliament for Gorton and Denton
Green Party
Episode: EMQs: Should MPs drink in parliament?
Ian Leslie
Author of the Ruffian Newsletter, longtime listener
Independent journalist/author
Episode: EMQs: Should MPs drink in parliament?

Hosts

Ed Balls
Host of EMQs, former Chancellor of the Exchequer; longstanding political figure with experience in economics and policy that informs sharp fiscal analysis.
George Osborne
Co-host and former Chancellor; brings deep experience in finance and governance to policy discussions and economic framing.

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 3.7k ratings
  • Unsubscribing

    A loyal weekly listener until recently, but the last couple of episodes have been a turning point. There is a striking pattern emerging: there is no shortage of criticism for other world leaders and governments, yet Israeli government actions go entirely unchallenged and Palestinian voices and those protesting on their behalf are conspicuously absent from the conversation. The selectivity is hard to ignore.

    The conflation of criticism of Israel with antisemitism is a well-worn and widely discred... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    G___T
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Disappointed

    I used to listen to this podcast for a mix of perspectives, but over time it’s started to feel increasingly one-sided, and a bit arrogant. The tone can come across as overly certain and, at times, dismissive of alternative views.

    In particular, Ed Balls’ style, which I’ve also noticed on TV, often feels more combative than constructive, and that detracts from the quality of discussion.

    It’s a shame, but for now I’ll be sticking with podcasts that feel more open and balanced, such as the Rest i... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    jam_har
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • The Thick of It

    Always enlightening and addictive. Keep up the good work.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    GrahamGGrant
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Two jokers

    One of them is the reason we’re in the dire economic situation we’re in thanks to him being the architect of austerity. Him and his Brexit referendum buddy David Cameron. The other being a useless labour stooge with a creepy presenting style on GMB. Awful.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    ArmyDee
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Insightful and Funny

    In my humble opinion the most genuinely insightful UK political podcast, and it can be surprisingly funny at times as well.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Styggron
    United Kingdom2 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners value the insiders' perspective on policy and markets.
Fans appreciate balance and banter between two former rivals.
Some critique the show for perceived partisanship but many praise the depth and clarity of economic explanations.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

EMQs: Should retired politicians go on Question Time?
Q: Would you go on Question Time as a retired politician?
They discuss the lure and risks of appearing on Question Time, with mixed views on whether it still carries influence or just exposure, as well as anecdotes from past appearances.
EMQs: Should we vote on weekends?
Q: Hi, Ed and George. So I've only recently had more of an invested interest in politics. Why do we vote during the week? Wouldn't having a vote at the weekend encourage more people to go out and vote?
The hosts explain that weekend voting would cost more due to the need for staff and facilities, and that historically voting has aligned with market days and other logistical considerations, though they acknowledge weekends do happen in some countries. They emphasize tradition and practicalities over a simple solution.
EMQs: Is politics like snooker?
Q: Do podcasts influence how people vote or engage with politics?
The hosts suggest podcasts help inform mediators and journalists who shape voter understanding, but they remain cautious about direct influence on voting; podcasts are part of a broader media ecosystem.
EMQs: What do the public think of Ed and George?
Q: Does this happen at all PMQs, and how on earth does the PM know accurate answers to every question if asked on the spot?
The hosts explain that PMQs are highly tactical, with some forewarning possible but generally plans are not fixed; advance notices exist for some statements, and the opposition challenges are designed to test integrity and quick thinking.
What If: George was PM during Covid?
Q: Would Tony Blair have allowed a referendum on Maastricht or Lisbon, and what would be the consequences?
The hosts consider that both Blair and Major might have faced referendums that could reconfigure EU integration trajectories, with potential Danish/Amsterdam-like concessions and different party pressures influencing whether a referendum would have occurred and what outcomes might have ensued.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Political Currency

What is Political Currency about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Two former UK chancellors host a politics-and-economics show that blends sharp policy analysis with candid banter. Episodes routinely thread fiscal policy, markets, and Westminster culture with timely questions from listeners, along with occasional detours into history, media, and technology's impact on politics. A standout is the heavy emphasis on economics behind political decisions, paired with insider perspectives from high-profile guests and a willingness to explore counterfactuals and global comparisons. The format is conversational, data-informed, and accessibility-friendly, making it useful for listeners who want practical takeaways on how policy moves affect markets and everyday life. The show is notable for its inside-the-room ins... more

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How many listeners does Political Currency get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Political Currency?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Political Currency:

1. How To Win An Election
2. The Rest Is Politics: Leading
3. The News Agents
4. Political Thinking with Nick Robinson
5. The Rest Is Politics

How many episodes of Political Currency are there?

Political Currency launched 3 years ago and published 299 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Political Currency?

Recent guests on Political Currency include:

1. Phil Eden
2. Steve Hilton
3. Rob Kenyon
4. Charlotte Ivers
5. Andrew Feldman
6. Rosemary Hall
7. Tim Sinclair
8. Hannah Spencer

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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