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Artwork for Political Currency

Political Currency

Persephonica
Labour Party
Donald Trump
Keir Starmer
Rachel Reeves
Brexit
Conservative Party
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 weeklyEpisodes308Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsPolitics

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Artwork for Political Currency

Latest Episodes

The pathway from Makerfield to Downing Street seems inevitable. Andy Burnham was sworn in to Parliament hours after Keir Starmer resigned and now seems set to be crowned as prime minister next month. But who is he? Ed Balls and George Osborne have kn... more

After Keir Starmer delivered his resignation speech this morning, Ed Balls and George Osborne reflect on what comes next for the government, for the country, and for the outgoing Prime Minister. Was Starmer’s ‘clinical’ address a sign of a weak legac... more

Al Carns revealed in the wake of his resignation he only met Keir Starmer in an official capacity once. On this week’s EMQs, Ed Balls and George Osborne break down how unusual this is for a PM and why it may explain the problem at the heart of the St... more

Keir Starmer’s legacy is on the line, no matter who wins in Makerfield. A flurry of announcements from social media bans to the defence strategy have seen the PM attempt to recentre himself in the narrative as his greatest rival comes closer and clos... more

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Recent Guests

Jeremy Hunt
Former Chancellor, author of Can We Be Rich Again?
Can We Be Rich Again? (book)
Episode: EMQs: The best place to be an MP if you're a lover of rhubarb
Eleanor Hallam
Regular listener and commenter; introduced a question
Regular listener
Episode: EMQs: The best place to be an MP if you're a lover of rhubarb
Josh MacAlister
Minister for Children and Families; mountain rescue volunteer
UK Parliament
Episode: EMQs: The best place to be an MP if you're a lover of rhubarb
Paul Jones
Member of Centrist Dad band; question contributor
Centrist Dad
Episode: EMQs: The best place to be an MP if you're a lover of rhubarb
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?

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
  • Insider trading

    I knew Starmer was gone when you did a ‘hot take’ - thanks, I’ve won thousands from bookies

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    George Agdgdgdwango
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • 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 Kingdom2 months 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 Kingdom2 months ago
  • The Thick of It

    Always enlightening and addictive. Keep up the good work.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    GrahamGGrant
    United Kingdom2 months 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 Kingdom3 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: The best place to be an MP if you're a lover of rhubarb
Q: What makes for effective fiscal reform across different governments?
Effective reform often hinges on building a broad consensus, leveraging cross-party support, and laying the groundwork for enduring changes, rather than rushing significant measures that could be reversed later.
EMQs: The best place to be an MP if you're a lover of rhubarb
Q: Is it better for a new Chancellor to implement big reforms early or wait to build political capital?
The guests suggest there is no universal rule; reforms can be strategic at the start or over time, depending on ground-work, cross-party support, and the political environment, with an emphasis on setting up durable structures even if change is gradual.
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.

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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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 Rest Is Politics
4. The News Agents
5. The Rest Is Money

How many episodes of Political Currency are there?

Political Currency launched 3 years ago and published 308 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. Jeremy Hunt
2. Eleanor Hallam
3. Josh MacAlister
4. Paul Jones
5. Phil Eden
6. Steve Hilton
7. Rob Kenyon
8. Charlotte Ivers

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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