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Artwork for Political Currency

Political Currency

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

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 weeklyEpisodes321Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNews

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Artwork for Political Currency

Latest Episodes

In the first of our summer interviews, Ed Balls sits down with Kemi Badenoch, leader of Conservative Party and Leader of the Opposition. The wide ranging interview begins with her Nigerian upbringing, coming to the UK at 16, and how that informs her ... more

Grimsby MP Melanie Onn sends in a question for this week's EMQs, querying why George went straight to Grimsby as a challenge for devolution in a recent episode. The pair delve into challenges facing Andy Burnham’s devolution agenda, and how past gove... more

Week two of the Andy Burnham premiership has come with a honeymoon and polling bounce. Ed Balls and George Osborne look at how he’s returned to a more collaborative approach with his cabinet, and the comms strategy which has seen pork scratchings bec... more

South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard is our first questioner on this week’s EMQs, asking whether other MPs will follow in Andy Burnham’s footsteps and leave Westminster to become mayors. Ed Balls and George Osborne speak about the career opportunitie... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Kemi Badenoch
British Conservative Party politician, MP for Saffron Walden since 2017, former minister and cabinet member
Conservative Party
Episode: Why Kemi Badenoch will make no deals with Reform
Oliver Coppard
Mayor of South Yorkshire
Local Government
Episode: EMQs: The reality of reshuffles
Lucinda Clayton
Audience member who asked questions on pension policy
Audience/Listener
Episode: EMQs: Why don’t politicians apologise?
Chris Boardman
Olympic gold medalist and public policy advocate
Active Travel England (former), Andy Burnham liaison
Episode: EMQs: Why no one will end the triple lock
Tristram Hunt
Director of the Victoria and Albert Museum; former Labour MP
Victoria and Albert Museum
Episode: Is Reform unravelling?
Ruby Sampson
Director of Start Strong, civil servant
UK Hospitality (guest)
Episode: EMQs: Are holiday taxes a threat to tourism?
Baroness Jan Royall
Chair of the Jo Cox Foundation, former Labour leader in the House of Lords
Jo Cox Foundation
Episode: EMQs: Keir Starmer’s problem with ministers
Natalie Fleet
Minister for Violence Against Women and Girls and Safeguarding
UK Government
Episode: EMQs: Will new laws protect children online?
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

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
  • The banter

    is better than Partridge

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    George Agdgdgdwango
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • 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 Kingdom3 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 Kingdom3 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 Kingdom3 months ago
  • The Thick of It

    Always enlightening and addictive. Keep up the good work.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    GrahamGGrant
    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: Is Britain lazier than America?
Q: Just explain what a shadow cabinet election is. Not everyone will know, right?
The shadow cabinet elections were a historical practice in which MPs voted to elect the shadow cabinet, a system ended in 2011 by reform that moved selections to the party leadership and parliamentary party, changing how top opposition roles were filled.
EMQs: The reality of reshuffles
Q: What line exists between personal conscience and constituency pressure for MPs who opposed gay marriage initially?
Many MPs faced strong constituency pressure, but the guests argue that MPs should stand by their convictions or be prepared to explain their votes publicly, with some eventually changing their positions as public opinion and leadership guidance aligned.
EMQs: The reality of reshuffles
Q: How has the mood in Downing Street been during the equal marriage push, and was it politically hot to pursue?
The mood shifted from cautious to supportive as public opinion moved in favor; the leadership determined it was the right thing to do, even though it faced significant internal resistance from traditional factions.
EMQs: Are holiday taxes a threat to tourism?
Q: What were the rules around ministerial employment rights and why are ministers treated differently from typical employees?
Ministers are office holders, not employees of the Crown, which means they have historically had minimal statutory employment protections; most protections come from parliamentary and ministerial codes rather than typical employment law.
EMQs: Why don’t politicians apologise?
Q: Should councils or ministers be more aligned on junior minister appointments to ensure long-term delivery?
Yes, alignment and cross-party backing help ensure continuity and prevent policy reversals when governments change, making it easier to deliver while building a durable governance architecture.

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 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 321 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. Kemi Badenoch
2. Oliver Coppard
3. Lucinda Clayton
4. Chris Boardman
5. Tristram Hunt
6. Ruby Sampson
7. Baroness Jan Royall
8. Natalie Fleet

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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