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Artwork for Political Currency

Political Currency

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

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 weeklyEpisodes348Founded3 years ago
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PoliticsNews

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Artwork for Political Currency

Latest Episodes

Ed and George went live this afternoon to give their Hot Take on John Healey’s Budget. They concluded the new chancellor was comfortable in his style, but the substance was not there.

George declares it an inconsequential Budget, and wonders if Heal... more

After the great response to Ed Balls’ scepticism on Burnham trying to rejoin the EU, former Labour MP Gloria De Piero got in touch. She asks Ed and George Osborne just how they would make the case for rejoining, to their former constituents. With Glo... more

YouTube

The Budget is less than a week away, and the pressure is on for Andy Burnham and John Healey to deliver. Ed Balls and George Osborne debate whether the right moves are being taken for the new chancellor’s first budget, or if the bold rhetoric from th... more

YouTube

Author Philip Delves Broughton asks Ed Balls and George Osborne whether Britain could survive an energy shock like the 1973–74 oil crisis, which ended with a three-day week and the fall of the Heath government. George warns of voters blaming the gove... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Philip Delves Broughton
Journalist and author of Embargo: How the 1973 Oil Crisis Changed the World
Episode: EMQs: Who Lifts Heavier, Ed or George?
Martin Lewis
Money expert, founder of the Institute for Small Ideas initiative (guest on the episode)
MoneySavingExpert / Institute for Small Ideas
Episode: EMQs: The truth about government war gaming
Abbie Bennington
Host of Vintage Politics, cross-promotional guest
Vintage Politics
Episode: EMQs: The truth about government war gaming
Camilla Cavendish
Policy Director in Number 10; FT columnist; author
Generation Maybe (Book)
Episode: Have Burnham & Badenoch restored two-party politics?
Natalie Livingstone
Author of The Nuremberg Women
Author/Book promoter
Episode: EMQs: Should John Healey recruit ex-chancellors?
Beth Rigby
Sky News political editor
Sky News
Episode: EMQs: Biggest conference clangers
Bridget Phillipson
Labour Party chair
Labour Party
Episode: EMQs: Biggest conference clangers
Robert Buckland
Former Lord Chancellor
Conservative Party / UK Government
Episode: EMQs: Biggest conference clangers
Tom Fletcher
UN Humanitarian Chief, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator
United Nations
Episode: EMQs: The challenges criticising Netanyahu with rising anti-semitism?

Hosts

Ed Balls
Host of Political Currency; former UK Chancellor; experienced Labour politician with policy and economic expertise; frequently discusses public spending, taxation, and macro policy.
George Osborne
Co-host; former UK Chancellor; long-standing political figure with deep experience in economics and policy, often analyzes fiscal matters and governance.

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 3.8k ratings
  • George has been taken over

    George Osborne has either never been a Conservative or has been totally muzzled by wanting to seem ‘ liberal’ by the Left and Ed Balls. Really hard to see how he represents any right -wing views at all.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Pechbely
    United Kingdom18 days ago
  • Non partisan

    Love this podcast as both George and Ed seem able to step back from allegiances and provide well rounded commentary. Question: how do they do it?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bramble101
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Great, but recent production changes not so great

    I’ve loved this podcast since it started. The chemistry between the two hosts is always really natural. Their analysis is consistently astute and perceptive, enriched by the contrast in their outlooks. It’s a really absorbing listen and a podcast I look forward to.

    I’m disappointed though by recent production changes. Part of the overall appeal of the podcast is that it had a great intro/theme tune. That’s now been totally buried by the podcast trend of needing to preview stuff we’ll be listeni... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    benbow12
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • So not tribal - hooray !

    Really enjoy these podcasts - always engaging and informative and , rarely for political podcasts, often humorous. You’re still my favourite!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Issy55
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Want more

    I want to enjoy this but I do struggle. They are both very biased and I don’t mean I disagree with them. I love listening to differing views but these 2 are very set in their ways and think they know best when they weren’t great politicians themselves. I feel like they have their own agenda they’re trying to push and I don’t like that

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    DJ083
    United Kingdoma month ago

Listeners Say

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

Insightful and balanced political analysis with engaging banter.
High-caliber dialogue, though some listeners perceive bias or smugness at times.
Occasional critique of host dynamics; strong take on economics and policy.
Great guests and accessible explanations of complex topics.

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: Are the Tories against welfare cuts?
Q: Is it the case that welfare reform is always something that costs too much political capital? You both have been in cabinet meetings where you have discussed whether to do something about this massive problem. But is it the case that it always keeps being delayed because the political cost is too great and the political reward too small?
George Osborne says cutting future entitlements is easier than reducing existing payments, and recounts opposition to his welfare cuts from Conservative figures. Ed Balls argues that reforms need a wider case centered on opportunity and making work pay, while Osborne stresses the difficulties and delayed savings of helping claimants into work.
EMQs: Are the Tories against welfare cuts?
Q: How would you explain the benefits of closer ties with the European Union to your respective former constituents? And how do you think they'd respond?
George Osborne argues that Brexit has damaged economic prospects in leave-voting areas and says the case should address trade, security and immigration. Ed Balls says campaigners must listen to voters' concerns and explain the costs and implications of rejoining.
EMQs: Who Lifts Heavier, Ed or George?
Q: Do either of you weight train, and which politicians you've known have had the most impressive fitness regimes?
Both say they train with weights. Osborne describes Barry's Bootcamp and working out alongside David Beckham, while Balls recalls Gordon Brown's running machine routine and says William Hague was a fitness enthusiast who practiced karate.
EMQs: Who Lifts Heavier, Ed or George?
Q: Do you think the UK is in a position today to survive a similar period of massive disruption to global energy supplies?
Balls says disruption could quickly cause fuel shortages and would be politically damaging. Osborne argues that the bigger risk is an energy shock arriving alongside breaks in trade relationships and the Western defense alliance, creating a wider crisis like the 1970s.
EMQs: The truth about government war gaming
Q: What is war gaming used for in government?
War gaming is used to test and rehearse responses to extreme scenarios, coordinate across ministries, and uncover gaps in organizations and legislative frameworks so crises can be managed more smoothly when real events occur.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Political Currency

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

Two veteran UK politicians-turned-proadcasters explore counterfactuals, policy trade-offs, and the mechanics of governance through candid dialogue, data-driven debate, and guest prompts. Across episodes, they blend economic context with political strategy, often focusing on fiscal policy, public services, devolution, and media dynamics, while inviting questions from listeners and experts to illuminate how leadership choices shape national outcomes. A distinguishing trait is the mix of sharp analysis with accessible, banter-rich conversation, plus guests who bring government, journalism, academia, and regional perspectives to the table. Potential listeners can expect trenchant policy insights delivered in a high-signal, low-pretense format t... 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. Electoral Dysfunction
5. Political Thinking with Nick Robinson

How many episodes of Political Currency are there?

Political Currency launched 3 years ago and published 348 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. Philip Delves Broughton
2. Martin Lewis
3. Abbie Bennington
4. Camilla Cavendish
5. Natalie Livingstone
6. Beth Rigby
7. Bridget Phillipson
8. Robert Buckland

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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