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Artwork for The Rundown by PoliticsHome

The Rundown by PoliticsHome

PoliticsHome
Labour Party
Conservative Party
Keir Starmer
Westminster
Brexit
UK Economy
Public Services
Andy Burnham
Reform UK
Local Elections
Liberal Democrats
Economic Growth
European Union
UK Parliament
Electoral Reform
Nigel Farage
Assisted Dying
Social Care
Cost Of Living
Rishi Sunak

Our weekly podcast from PoliticsHome discussing all the ups and downs in Westminster. Please subscribe and share - and keep up with all the latest news on PoliticsHome.com. Got a question for the team? news@politicshome.com.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes237Founded10 years ago
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Artwork for The Rundown by PoliticsHome

Latest Episodes

This week The Rundown is coming live from Liverpool, where the team have been at the Labour party conference, Andy Burnham’s first since he took over as leader of the party.

Later in the episode is a fantastic interview with one of his Cabinet minis... more

This week on The Rundown features a fascinating interview with former veterans minister Johnny Mercer, who has just published a bombshell new book - No Way to Run a Country - about his time in politics, and what he sees as the broken system at the he... more

After a pair of record-breaking donations to Reform UK, host Alain Tolhurst looks at the role of big money in politics, the influence it can bring, why campaigners want to see caps on the amount people can give to parties, and where the pushback agai... more

This week The Rundown takes a look at another political party as it heads into its annual conference, this time the Greens, looking at whether after a huge surge in membership and popularity under new leader Zack Polanski their support might be plate... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Johnny Mercer
Former Veterans Minister, author of No Way to Run a Country
UK Government (former)
Episode: Johnny Mercer: I was a terrible politician
Stella Creasy
Labour MP leading the charge to change the law
Labour Party
Episode: How to deal with big money in politics
Olly Buston
Director of Clean Up Westminster
Clean Up Westminster
Episode: How to deal with big money in politics
Peter Geoghegan
Award-winning journalist, founder and editor of Democracy for Sale
Democracy for Sale
Episode: How to deal with big money in politics
Natalie Bennett
Former Green Party leader
Green Party
Episode: Can the Green Party get past its growing pains?
Russell Warfield
Author of The Green Socialist
Independent/Author
Episode: Can the Green Party get past its growing pains?
Louis O'Geran
Researcher at The Polster's More in Common
More in Common
Episode: Can the Green Party get past its growing pains?
Joshua Reynolds
Liberal Democrat MP for Maidenhead
Liberal Democrats
Episode: Parliament returns and party conference preview
Samantha Niblett
Labor MP for South Derbyshire, known for campaigning on lifelong sex education and sexual wellness
House of Commons
Episode: Has Samantha Niblett created a 'summer of sex'?

Host

Alain Tolhurst
Host of The Rundown

Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars from 126 ratings
  • Audio terrible

    What on earth is that banging noise the whole way through!

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    grizzsmada
    United Kingdom10 months ago
  • Stands out

    There’s such a glut of political podcasts but this one is well worth a listen! Very Interesting discussions and wide ranging choice of guests.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SocksyG
    United Kingdom10 months ago
  • Just silly

    This really isn’t very good at all. There are simply too many podcasts, and most I’ve tried aren’t worth subscribing to. I won’t visit this one again. And Sarah Vine: really? A case of ego outstripping ability by quite some distance. She must have a fiercely tenacious agent.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Michael Coxon
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Speedy speedy ?

    Why oh why must the host speak do ridiculously fast ?

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Edhkyb
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Brilliantly informed podcast

    PH always has a great range of interesting guests, and provides an entertaining and informative rundown on the political news agenda. Will be listening every Thursday!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Zoe Crowther
    United Kingdom4 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Sound quality and production have been variable according to listeners.
Engaging, well-informed discussions that fit into a commute.
Consistently informative, with insightful takes on Westminster dynamics.
Shows depth with a wide guest range and sharp political analysis.

Top Politics Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How to deal with big money in politics
Q: What are the realistic policy options people are discussing to address these issues—spending caps, donor transparency, or even state funding?
Options include expanding or tightening spending caps beyond election periods, introducing clearer donor transparency rules (including where money comes from and how it's used), banning corporate donations, and potentially reintroducing or expanding public funding to reduce reliance on private wealth. The discussion also involves how to implement these changes quickly given political dynamics.
How to deal with big money in politics
Q: Peter, you've been covering this beat for almost 10 years—why is it important to discuss this increase in donations and the concentration among very wealthy individuals?
Because it affects democratic legitimacy, concentrates influence among a few wealthy donors, and shapes policy and political priorities in ways that can marginalize broad public input. Understanding this helps explain trust issues and the urgency for transparent rules and caps to restore balance.
Johnny Mercer: I was a terrible politician
Q: Why did you ultimately step away from government and politics?
He emphasizes a combination of broken promises, political culture, and the realization that government would not fulfill commitments to veterans, leading to his decision to leave frontline politics and pursue advocacy from the backbenches.
Johnny Mercer: I was a terrible politician
Q: What motivated you to write the book and return to politics for a period of time?
Mercer explains a mix of motivators, including wanting to expose how Westminster operates, protect veterans' interests, and illuminate the realities behind political decisions so future MPs learn from mistakes.
Has Samantha Niblett created a 'summer of sex'?
Q: What challenges has Samantha faced from colleagues?
Some colleagues expressed anger or mockery, especially male MPs; others quietly supported the campaign, and there is a tension between pushing for reform and avoiding a backlash that could be politically costly.

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 The Rundown by PoliticsHome

What is The Rundown by PoliticsHome about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show provides a concise, debate-driven tour of Westminster with a rotating guest roster that leans into party politics, policy debates, and governance challenges. Episodes typically spot themes like leadership transitions, parliamentary strategy, policy reform, and sector-specific issues (hospitality, online safety, local journalism), often pairing insiders, researchers, and journalists to unpack current events. A standout aspect is the breadth of guests—from former ministers and MPs to policy researchers and industry advocates—creating a mix of inside-warm insider perspectives and issue-driven analysis that helps listeners understand complex political dynamics and their real-world implications. The format appears to combine sharp polit... more

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1. Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards
2. Politics At Sam and Anne's
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The Rundown by PoliticsHome launched 10 years ago and published 237 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 The Rundown by PoliticsHome?

Recent guests on The Rundown by PoliticsHome include:

1. Johnny Mercer
2. Stella Creasy
3. Olly Buston
4. Peter Geoghegan
5. Natalie Bennett
6. Russell Warfield
7. Louis O'Geran
8. Joshua Reynolds

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